This is not a snapshot from Epitaphios Vespers on Great Friday held in January. Neither is it a service held for the dead in the middle of the night. It is a snapshot from a protest gathering outside the Acropolis Museum on Sunday. Former TV-persona and now Marathonas mayor Ilias Psinakis organized the event aiming to raise awareness for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles.
Several hundred people attended the silent protest with candles, among them several mayors from the Federation of Greek mayors.
Psinakis said that the event takes place the occasion of the return of one of the Parthenon Marbles sculpture from Hermitage in Russia back to the British Museum.
HE stressed that “it is moral and institutionally correct” that the Parthenon Marbles traveling around the world to come also to Greece, where they should be returned for ever.
Why the candles? “They symbolize peace, culture and solidarity among the people,” Marousi mayor Giorgos Patoulis told media.
Had they used white candles, the message would have been fancier….
PS in Greek orthodox tradition, yellow candles are being used for sad ceremonies like requiem masses and Epitaphios (vespers on Great Friday) ceremony and litany.
