Orthodox Holy Week
So it turns out that most people in this country don't seem to realise Orthodox Easter is different from Catholic/Protestant Easter. Sometimes they fall on the same dates, but that is luck. Easter is calculated by moon cycles and the equinox, but the Catholics use the Gregorian calendar and the Orthodox the older Julian calendar. (We have still have a section of ultraconservatives in Greece who use the Julian calendar for everything, we call them the Old Calendarists.)
Anyway, this week is Orthodox Holy Week in case you are wondering. In Greece there would be all sorts of stuff going on. We are big on pageantry and religious holidays are more cultural and social than anything else. Kind of like in Catholic countries. My Spanish flatmate says that in Spain Easter is also very rich in events and meanings, unlike the UK where everything is about shopping and eating.
I decided to try and go to the two biggest Easter events this year. I used to go very often in Athens, mainly with friends. It's a lovely way to feel a sense of community with your neighbourhood. That is not possible here, because there is no Greek church in my neighbourhood. So I'll have to travel.
I was told I had to visit Saint Sofia in Bayswater because its so beautiful. Even though the idea of going to Kensington with all the posh Greeks is not what I'd prefer, I'll take their advice and do the Epitaphios on Friday there. The Epitaphios is from 19.00 till 21.30 at Saint Sofia, if the times are correct. First there is a church service that I usually skip in Greece and then the Epitaphios procession which is the good part everyone goes for.
And then there's the Anastasi - Resurection - that is held Saturday night. For that one I looked for a church I can get home to by nightbus because it's from 22.30 till 2.00. First there's the service, then the giving of the Holy Light, then - in Greece - we have fireworks and such. I found two likely churches All Saints in Camden near Mornington Crescent Station - that has a proper organised website with a schedule and everything - and Saint Andrew in Kentish Town - that is closer to me, but less prepossessing. Both these churches are converted Anglican ones, so the architecture is all wrong, but All Saints is a grade I listed building!
In any case, if any of you live in London and want to sit through an Orthodox service to get a completely different cultural experience, you are welcome to come with me!
Anyway, this week is Orthodox Holy Week in case you are wondering. In Greece there would be all sorts of stuff going on. We are big on pageantry and religious holidays are more cultural and social than anything else. Kind of like in Catholic countries. My Spanish flatmate says that in Spain Easter is also very rich in events and meanings, unlike the UK where everything is about shopping and eating.
I decided to try and go to the two biggest Easter events this year. I used to go very often in Athens, mainly with friends. It's a lovely way to feel a sense of community with your neighbourhood. That is not possible here, because there is no Greek church in my neighbourhood. So I'll have to travel.
I was told I had to visit Saint Sofia in Bayswater because its so beautiful. Even though the idea of going to Kensington with all the posh Greeks is not what I'd prefer, I'll take their advice and do the Epitaphios on Friday there. The Epitaphios is from 19.00 till 21.30 at Saint Sofia, if the times are correct. First there is a church service that I usually skip in Greece and then the Epitaphios procession which is the good part everyone goes for.
And then there's the Anastasi - Resurection - that is held Saturday night. For that one I looked for a church I can get home to by nightbus because it's from 22.30 till 2.00. First there's the service, then the giving of the Holy Light, then - in Greece - we have fireworks and such. I found two likely churches All Saints in Camden near Mornington Crescent Station - that has a proper organised website with a schedule and everything - and Saint Andrew in Kentish Town - that is closer to me, but less prepossessing. Both these churches are converted Anglican ones, so the architecture is all wrong, but All Saints is a grade I listed building!
In any case, if any of you live in London and want to sit through an Orthodox service to get a completely different cultural experience, you are welcome to come with me!