Greek Orthodox Easter

As she waited at the bus stop yesterday morning, Sooz started chatting with one of the other regulars and found out that the local Greek Church was observing Easter with a street parade that evening. It turned out to be a massive affair. We arrive at 8pm, and the Church was already overflowing, and over the next hour as services continued inside, the parking lot filled up. The parade started at about 9pm, and police closed the street to ensure the safety of the worshippers. A woman who asked us the time kindly explained the ritual. The elaborately ordained structure being carried in the first image represents the coffin of Christ. The parade follows the "Stations" (of the Cross) - around the block - and then returns to the Church. A service will be held at 11pm tonight, and part of that will be extinguishing of the lights, and then the Church will be lit - candle to candle - starting from a single one - to mark Christ's resurrection.