For the Panagia Erithiani crews
The dome and the icon of Agios Markos (St. Mark) with the lion, above the main entrance of the church.
The Rocket war is a “war” between two parishes of Vrontados, Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani. The event is said to have begun some time in the years of Ottoman rule of the island. However, there is no evidence as to when and how this happened. Some people say that children from the two parishes used to play “war” with stones. At some point, adults interfered in the children’s game, and Easter come they used to fire miniature canons to celebrate Easter, which were brought home by Vrontados mariners. They would set up the miniature canons in the yards and fire at the church of the opponent. The point was to make as much noise as possible at Easter night.
This went on for several years. In 1889 the first rockets appeared. Initially a pyrotechnics specialist made them, based on Italian methodology. Since 1900 the people from the parishes started to participate and make their own rockets. During the German occupation the tradition nearly came to an end. It was called off during the dictatorship and started again in 1970.
In the 1950s, the opponents started to shoot rockets from the nearby fields aiming at the opposite church, which is what happens today as well.
The dome and the icon of Agios Markos (St. Mark) with the lion, above the main entrance of the church.
The clock of Panagia Erithiani church.
The spring is magical in Kampos. Let’s walk around the blooming citrus orchards or cycle in the narrow streets with the impressive Genoese mansions.
Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) is ideal for a visit to the Castle of Chios. You can join the moving ceremony of "Epitafios", where the pilgrims mourn for the death of Jesus, carrying the "Epitafios", a symbol of his grave, around the parish and to the central square of the Town. The imposing event of pilgrims from different parishes of the town meeting at the town square is something that should not be missed.
On Good Saturday in Vrontados, at the north of the town, the two largest parishes, Panagia Erythiani and Agios Markos revive an old tradition. At Easter night they light hand-made rockets, signifying the victory of life over death and creating the most glorious spectacle of Greek- Orthodox Easter you have ever experienced.
Visit the monasteries of the island and especially the Nea Moni Monastery, an 11th century Byzantine monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the mosaics, exemplary of the Constantinople art of the time. Walk the old trail from Nea Moni to another monastery Agioi Pateres and then drive to the medieval villages of central Chios, Anavatos and Avgonyma, where you can enjoy the traditional Chios cuisine.
Municipality of Chios, Touristic Information Office
Kanari 18
Zip Code: 82100, Chios
tourismos@chios.gov.gr
Phone: 0030 22710 44344
Web: www.chios.gr
