The countdown starts on Clean Monday, which signifies the beginning of the 40-day Lent, leading to Palm Sunday and escalating to the Good week.

If you happened to be in Paros for Easter, you would’ve witnessed all of the above, but you’ll also have the chance to see more. In the small village of Marpissa, the locals keep a truly unique custom, taking place on Good Friday.

The procession of the Cross starts after the Good Friday church service, and has stations telling the story of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the last supper and to the descent from the cross, with all stages in-between. However, these stations are quite remarkable.

According to the custom, the locals create a series of 17 tableaux-vivants scattered throughout Marpissa's village center, taking up poses of famous Byzantine icons. The "actors" who are volunteers from the village and nearby towns, have to hold their poses for at least an hour. Half the island crowds into Marpissa's narrow lanes to see this one-of-a-kind “show”.

The custom dates back a hundred years, when a school teacher thought it would be a good idea to actively involve children to the events leading to biggest holiday in Orthodox religion. Even today, children, teenagers and 20somethings take part in the festivities, before they hit the bars and nightclubs.

See it with your own eyes and experience tradition, luxury and so much more, simply by booking your next holiday at a Blue Villa in Paros!