Each year on Good Friday, the Greek island of Hydra hosts one of the most visually striking Easter rituals in the country, blending Greek Orthodox faith with the island’s long-standing seafaring culture.

The parish of St. John in the coastal village of Kamini leads the event, where the Epitaphios, symbolizing the tomb of Christ, is carried in solemn procession from the church into the sea. Young men wade into chest-deep water bearing the flower-covered bier, followed by hundreds of locals and visitors gathered along Hydra’s main harbor.

This century-old tradition not only reflects Hydra’s religious spirit but also pays tribute to its maritime identity, making it a standout observance among Greece’s many Orthodox Easter customs.

Watch a video of Hydra’s Good Friday tradition

Photos and story from Foni Tis Hydras