Syros is perhaps the only region in Greece where the Catholics celebrate Easter together with the Orthodox. On Good Friday, all the inhabitants of the island stream into the streets and follow Jesus Christ’s portable Holy Sepulchres set up in small and big Orthodox and Catholic churches. In Ano Syros (Upper Syros), the portable Holy Sepulchres of the Catholic community set off from the church of Saint George, while in Ermoupoli the starting point of the procession is the church of the Evangelists. The Orthodox Holy Sepulchres set off from the parishes of Aghios Nicolaos , the Assumption and the cathedral which is dedicated to the Saviour’s Transfiguration . All the portable Holy Sepulchers are carried in procession through the streets and the cobbled paths of the island and pass past the port and the coasts. Their end destination is Miaoulis central square which echoes with the reverent prayers and the hymns of Good Friday chanted by the chanters and the choir of the church of Aghios Nicolaos. The portable Holy Sepulchres of the Orthodox community are followed by people holding poles with the Chiton, sponges and dice, symbols of Jesus Christ’s Passions before His Resurrection. In the past, contrary to what happened in other Greek regions, the burning of Judas’s effigy – made of wood, cotton clothes and straws – was held before the Vespers of Holy Saturday, so that this brilliant day was not desecrated by Judas. However, this custom generated anti-Semitic feelings among the Catholics and was therefore abolished by Jesuit monks, despite public reactions. The liturgical service of the first proclamation of the Resurrection takes place on Holy Saturday morning, just like in the rest of Greece. However, on Syros the members of the congregation hit the pews of the church with all their strength. That lasts for at least half an hour.
In the evening, as soon as the festal hymn “Christ is risen” is heard, the inhabitants of Syros queue up to kiss the hand of the presbyter of the parish. The archbishop of the Cyclades often presides over the Easter Resurrection service at the church of Aghios Nicolaos in the heart of Ermoupoli. After the end of the liturgy, the Catholics carry in procession Jesus Christ’s statue which is placed in a golden baldachin open on all four sides and covered with violets, lemon blossoms and lilacs.

In the tourist resort of Poseidonia, the Catholics feast together with the Orthodox on Good Friday. The ships at the naval base of Agathopes make signals as soon as the two parishes meet and greet each other.