With the Dance of the Elders and the Lazarus songs, Episkepsi is associated with distinctive local traditions. The village’s amphitheatrical layout, grand Corfiot country mansions and olive groves also shape its character. Travelers who choose a destination not only for individual sights but also for its customs and built character will find some concrete points of interest here.
The Dance of the Elders
A 2023 account describes the Dance of the Elders as an annual custom: it takes place at 5 p.m. after the Vespers of Forgiveness, in the courtyard of the Church of Saint Basil. The dance is performed without musical instruments and without women taking part. It is led by the oldest priest, followed by younger clergy, then laypeople in order of age, with the youngest bringing up the rear. Locals call the dance “Δόξα να..”, after its opening line, which praises God for giving the world each new day. The location, timing and order give the custom a clear framework. If you would like to plan your trip around the dance, check the exact date in advance.
Lazarus Songs in the Village
A 2019 account describes the Lazarus songs as an annual tradition on the eve of Lazarus Saturday. The songs tell of the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead. After nightfall, the choir of Episkepsi and many other people sang throughout all the village’s neighborhoods. While the dance in the church courtyard is tied to one location and a set order, the singing extends across the village neighborhoods. These are two distinct forms of local tradition side by side: an orderly dance and communal singing with religious subject matter.
Village Character and Landscape
Episkepsi is built in an amphitheatrical layout. The village has grand Corfiot country mansions and is surrounded by olive groves. These features reflect different aspects of the village’s character: its settlement layout, its architecture and the surrounding landscape. Episkepsi can therefore be described through more than its individual customs. Travelers who consider not only a particular event but also a village’s character and natural surroundings when choosing a destination will find several different perspectives here.
Urban Heritage in the Wider Destination of Corfu
In the wider destination of Corfu, Corfu Old Town offers a distinct urban cultural experience. Its historic urban fabric is almost completely preserved, and its buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Old Town and its two fortresses are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. This urban focus is distinct from the village character and local traditions of Episkepsi.
The museums in the Old Town also offer their own areas of interest. The Museum of Asian Art holds more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia. It can be reached from Corfu Port on bus line 2 on the Mantouki–Kanoni route; check the timetable before your trip. The Archaeological Museum of Corfu was built primarily to display the Gorgon Medusa pediment of the great Temple of Artemis. The pediment was created in 585 BC and excavated in 1911 near the Aghioi Theodoroi Monastery.
The destination profiles are easy to distinguish: Episkepsi offers village traditions and an amphitheatrical village layout, while Corfu Old Town offers urban heritage and museums.
Discover more destinations: Erikoussa, Magazia, Nisaki, Alepou, Afion, Velonades, Kavos, Vitalades
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