Thessaloniki kept us busy with Easter activities. Friday morning we made the rounds to check out the churches, filled with people attending services and admiring the Epitaphios (decorated bier of Christ). Friday early evening Saints Menas started its procession of its Epitaphios. Later Friday evening, there was a convergence of five Epitaphios processions at Aristotelous Square.
Saturday evening we went to the midnight celebration in the Agia Sophia courtyard. Right before midnight, all the lights in the church were turned off; then the priests appeared with candles, supposedly from the Eternal Flame in Jerusalem. The flame is then passed on from candle to candle. Being the pyromaniac, I was ready to show up with a candle, John vetoed it - too much religious connotation associated with it. There were some minor fireworks and many joyful faces. Some people were really serious about taking the flame home, others went to bars to celebrate. On Sunday, there was nothing, aside from church services. Maybe less than 10% of the restaurants opened.
In between all the Easter activities, we went to the very fine archeological museum, we admired the Roman ruins right in the middle of the city, and enjoyed the vibrant restaurant scene. I had thought we'd be kicking back in Thessaloniki. I was so wrong.
Holy Friday Churches and Processions
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Sun-Ling's birthday dinner at Tarantoúla Vegan Restaurant. Tasty!
On Easter Sunday we walked up to the Old Town for some great views of the city, then down along the City Walls to the Roman Ruins.
Roman Ruins: Rotunda (with a minaret from the Ottoman Era), Arch of Galerius, Palace of Galerius, and the "Roman Agora" with compelling bathtubs.
ELECTRA PALACE HOTEL - Aristotle Square
Allegra Ergas Mansion
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