Agapi (Love)

It is an ancient custom, revived every year on Easter Monday in Ktikados. Rooted in the early Christian time it is associated with the deep faith of Tinians in the Resurrection of Christ. Aim of this custom, called “agapi” (love), is that, on this very day, when the Resurrection of Jesus is celebrated, all believers (Orthodox and Catholics) are reconciled with each other, as well as honor their beloved ones who are no longer alive.

The women of the village have cooked soup of beef, roast meat, mainly beef and various other delicious appetizers, as the custom requires. They have also set the table properly.

They sit all together in this really huge, single table, with the priest leading. Once the food is served, the priest sings thrice the Resurrection Hymn “Christos Anesti” (Christ is risen) and the meal begins. Forgiving each other follows, as well as a memorial service, reference of the deceased by name and Easter hymns sung in the nearby small chapel.