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An Easter Tradition at the Village Kalé Vryse of Drama

• Αικατερινίδης, Γεώργιος Ν.

In Kale Vryse of Macedonia, a traditional village in the area of Drama, in Northern Hellas, it is a habit each year on Thursday of the week after Easter (Diakainissemos),to carry the Icon of Resurrection in a procession around the village's outskirtis, accordiong to a specific traditional and religious ritual. During this ritual the procession successively stops at nine country chapels and praying stands, where the priest chants and blesses the area with prayers for good health and prosperous harvest. One of these praying stands is built on top of the an.(ancient) wall of Dionysus' shrine. The procession lasts for almost four hours, making its final stop at the rural chapels of St. George and St. Vlassios, protector saints of livestock owners and farmers, respectively. This is where the entire village takes part in a joyful celebration of song and dance until the late hours of the night. The purpose of this ritual is to create an imaginary circle around the village, the ritualistic powers of which are believed to bear protection against all evil for people, animals and produce. This protection is especially asked for against hail, an extremely dangerous weather condition at this time of year, threatening the positive outcome of harvest. For that same purpose of protection against hail, people usually light fires on hilltops surrounding their village, as a Resurrection's Eve custom

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