It is really worthwhile to spend Passion Week in the small country town of Leonidion as its inhabitants celebrate Easter in a magnificent way. Local customs revive during this period of the year. The locals share the festive and merry atmosphere with tourists who also have the chance to see balloons flying in the air. It should be noted that the Calvary is only one of the traditional Easter events visitors can attend. The Calvary is put on stage on Maundy Thursday evening. It is a custom that attracts many tourists because the atmosphere is really reverent. On Good Friday morning, Jesus is taken down from the Cross. His body is laid by a priest in a portable Holy Sepulchre. Set up in the churches of Leonidion, all the carved wooden structures that represent the Empty Tomb are decorated with flowers including violets, symbols of the mourning in which the Christians are plunged.

On the evening of the same day, all the portable Holy Sepulchres of the town gather at War Memorial Square where liturgy is performed to the accompaniment of bonfires and flares. Christ’s Resurrection is celebrated on the evening of Good Saturday. People at each parish collect dry wood to light a fire. On top of this pile, there is a flag which symbolises Judas. When the clock strikes midnight, the evening sky is filled with multicoloured hot air balloons that offer a captivating view as they disappear into the horizon. As all of them are improvised, the inhabitants of each parish of Leonidion compete to make the most impressive balloon.

On Easter Sunday noon, the inhabitants of Leonidion treat tourists to spit-roasted lamb tidbits and red eggs. On the afternoon of the same day, a church service referred to as the Vespers of Agape is held at the central square of Leonidion. The Holy Gospel is first read in the Tsakonian local dialect. The women of the village prepare “diples” – traditional curls made with flour, honey and walnuts – which add a sweet touch to the merry atmosphere of local festivities.