In case you wondered what the craziest Easter tradition is, I got...
TheBlackWolf@thewolvenhour
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Apr 22, 2025
~1 min read
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In case you wondered what the craziest Easter tradition is, I got you: Rocket Wars.
Two rival church congregations in Chios, Greece stage the annual "battle" by each firing tens of thousands of rockets at the opposing church, aiming especially for the belfry..🧵⤵️
Two rival church congregations in Chios, Greece stage the annual "battle" by each firing tens of thousands of rockets at the opposing church, aiming especially for the belfry..🧵⤵️
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Rouketopolemos (Greek for literally 'rocket war') is a local tradition held annually at Easter in the town of Vrontados(Βροντάδος), on the Greek island of Chios in the eastern Aegean Sea.
It is a variation of the Greek custom of lighting fireworks on midnight of Easter Sunday.
It is a variation of the Greek custom of lighting fireworks on midnight of Easter Sunday.
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Rockets are fired between two rival parishes, Saint Mark's and Panagia Ereithiani, built on two hilltops about 400 meters apart.
During battle, direct hits on the belfries are supposedly counted the next day to determine the winner, but each parish invariably claims victory.
During battle, direct hits on the belfries are supposedly counted the next day to determine the winner, but each parish invariably claims victory.
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The skyrockets are homemade, comprising a head loaded with a gunpowder-based propellant, tied to a wooden guide stick.
The churches and nearby buildings are extensively boarded up and protected with metal sheets and mesh for the occasion.
The churches and nearby buildings are extensively boarded up and protected with metal sheets and mesh for the occasion.