A ‘rocket war’ isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Easter, but on the Greek island of Chios, residents have revived the spectacular and dangerous tradition after a one year hiatus.
Parishioners of the local Greek Orthodox churches of Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani in the village of Vrontados fire tens of thousands of homemade rockets at each other while attempting to strike the bell of the opposing belltower.
RT: ‘Rocket War’ returns to sleepy Greek island as thousands of fireworks light up night sky (VIDEO)
After all, who can forget Christ's commandment to go forth to ring the bell in the other guy's church with rockets. I'm sure you all remember when he said that.
It does look cool, tho.
As always, someone got pissed off about it.
The festival, known as Rouketopolemos (‘Rocket war’), has been celebrated by the two churches for over 200 years.
“There is an opportunity for the custom to return to its roots and we need to help everyone,” Deputy Mayor Stratis Gdyssis told local Chios radio, as cited by The Greek Reporter.
The practice has proven controversial, however, with several lawsuits allegedly underway, unsurprising given the intensity of the bombardment.
- RT
There's a sign at the entrance to a town in Ohio which reads, "Welcome to Hillsboro, home of 600 happy people and a few old soreheads." (true)
Ed: the lawsuits probably came from the team representing the church which lost last year
Good point
Oh, it gets stranger.
The festival is a variation on a theme. Traditionally, members of the Greek Orthodox church celebrate Easter Sunday by throwing rockets before midnight mass.
In Vrontados, however, a full blown fireworks battle ensues between the two churches while midnight mass is being celebrated.
- RT
Traditionally? WTF do you mean by traditionally. I never saw that.
Ed: that's because you were inside the church, idiot! They could have been shooting them off all over Greece and you would not have seen them!
Hmm ... another good point. I don't believe that but it might be true.
Parishioners of the local Greek Orthodox churches of Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani in the village of Vrontados fire tens of thousands of homemade rockets at each other while attempting to strike the bell of the opposing belltower.
RT: ‘Rocket War’ returns to sleepy Greek island as thousands of fireworks light up night sky (VIDEO)
After all, who can forget Christ's commandment to go forth to ring the bell in the other guy's church with rockets. I'm sure you all remember when he said that.
It does look cool, tho.
As always, someone got pissed off about it.
The festival, known as Rouketopolemos (‘Rocket war’), has been celebrated by the two churches for over 200 years.
“There is an opportunity for the custom to return to its roots and we need to help everyone,” Deputy Mayor Stratis Gdyssis told local Chios radio, as cited by The Greek Reporter.
The practice has proven controversial, however, with several lawsuits allegedly underway, unsurprising given the intensity of the bombardment.
- RT
There's a sign at the entrance to a town in Ohio which reads, "Welcome to Hillsboro, home of 600 happy people and a few old soreheads." (true)
Ed: the lawsuits probably came from the team representing the church which lost last year
Good point
Oh, it gets stranger.
The festival is a variation on a theme. Traditionally, members of the Greek Orthodox church celebrate Easter Sunday by throwing rockets before midnight mass.
In Vrontados, however, a full blown fireworks battle ensues between the two churches while midnight mass is being celebrated.
- RT
Traditionally? WTF do you mean by traditionally. I never saw that.
Ed: that's because you were inside the church, idiot! They could have been shooting them off all over Greece and you would not have seen them!
Hmm ... another good point. I don't believe that but it might be true.
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