Greek Easter Festival of Cargèse
Catholic Byzantine Rite Easter Ceremonies in Cargèse (Corse-du-Sud)
About Greek Easter Festival
The Easter Ceremonies of Cargèse are a unique set of religious celebrations in France, a legacy of the Greek community established in Cargèse since 1676. Descended from Greek fugitives from the Peloponnese who took refuge in Corsica, the inhabitants of Hellenic origin have practiced the Byzantine rite within the Catholic Church (and not Orthodox) for 350 years. Easter is celebrated there annually according to the Gregorian calendar, in the Saint-Spyridon church, known as the "Greek" church, and the Latin Sainte-Marie church, located facing each other in the heart of the village.
A unique Easter tradition in France
Since the 18th century, the Easter Festival of Cargèse has brought together the descendants of the Greeks from the Peloponnese who arrived in Corsica in 1676 after fleeing Vitylo, in Mani, under Ottoman pressure. Recognized as Greek-Catholics after their settlement, the people of Cargèse have preserved the Byzantine liturgy in ancient Greek to this day, celebrated by the parish archimandrite, Mgr Antoine Forget.
The two churches of Cargèse
The village is famous for its two Catholic churches built facing each other on the promontory overlooking the gulf: the Latin Sainte-Marie church and the Greek Saint-Spyridon church, built by the inhabitants between 1854 and 1872 (according to sources) and classified as a Historic Monument in 1990. During the Easter festivities, the two parishes celebrate together, alternating Latin and Byzantine liturgies in Greek.
A Holy Week punctuated by processions
The festivities extend from Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday. Veneration of the Holy Cross, granitula in Piana, funeral eulogy of Christ, large nocturnal procession, Easter vigil at midnight in the Greek church, blank rifle shots, ringing of Latin and Greek bells mingled: each day offers a highlight.
The Easter Monday procession
Easter Monday marks the climax of the ceremonies. At the end of the morning divine liturgy at the Greek church, the procession moves through the village streets behind the icon carried by the brotherhoods. Eight Corsican brotherhoods traditionally participate in this procession accompanied by Byzantine chants, salutes, and the bells of the two churches. On the promontory, the holy icon is exposed to the four cardinal points to bless the village and the countryside, before returning to Saint-Spyridon.
A living heritage
Listed on the official Corsican tourism agenda, the Easter Ceremonies of Cargèse attract faithful, curious visitors, and lovers of sacred heritage each year. They embody the vitality of a Greek-Catholic community that has preserved its identity for 350 years while integrating into the island's religious life.
Greek Easter Festival — edition 2026
2026 edition of the Easter Ceremonies of Cargèse, celebrated from Thursday, April 2 to Monday, April 6, 2026. Byzantine Rite Catholic Easter marked this year by the 350th anniversary of the arrival of the Greeks from the Peloponnese in Corsica and the 250th anniversary of the creation of the village of Cargèse.
Easter Ceremonies 2026 — April 2 to 6
The 2026 edition of the Easter celebrations in Cargèse took place from Maundy Thursday, April 2 to Easter Monday, April 6, 2026, in the village's two churches: Saint-Spyridon (Byzantine rite, known as «Greek») and Sainte-Marie (Latin rite), facing each other on the promontory overlooking the gulf.
A Double Historic Anniversary
This 2026 edition took on a special dimension: it marked the 250th anniversary of the creation of Cargèse and the 350th anniversary of the arrival in Corsica of the Greeks from the Peloponnese, who left Vitylo (Mani) in 1676 to flee Ottoman oppression. Several hundred faithful, as well as eight Corsican brotherhoods, participated in the ceremonies.
A Thought for Christians in the East
Archimandrite Mgr Antoine Forget placed the celebration under the sign of support for suffering Christians in the East, recalling the original meaning of a feast centered on resurrection and life.
Programme Greek Easter Festival 2026
Maundy Thursday — April 2, 2026
- Evening — Mass and procession at the church of Piana
- Evening — Mass and grand procession at the Latin church Sainte-Marie de Cargèse
Good Friday — April 3, 2026
- Afternoon — Veneration of the Holy Cross, procession and granitula in Piana
- Evening — Funeral eulogy of Christ and grand procession at the Greek church Saint-Spyridon
Holy Saturday — April 4, 2026
- Evening — Easter Vigil in Piana
- Night (around midnight) — Easter Vigil and liturgy of the new fire at the Greek church Saint-Spyridon
Easter Sunday — April 5, 2026
- Morning — Mass at the Latin church Sainte-Marie de Cargèse
- Morning — Mass in Piana
- Afternoon — Mass in Serriera
Easter Monday — April 6, 2026 (climax of the ceremonies)
- Morning — Divine Liturgy in ancient Greek at Saint-Spyridon church, presided over by Archimandrite Mgr Antoine Forget
- After the mass — Blank rifle shots and grand procession through the village streets behind the icon carried by the eight brotherhoods
- On the promontory — Exposition of the holy icon to the four cardinal points, blessing of the village, the gulf, and the countryside
- Return — Procession to Saint-Spyridon church, ringing of Latin and Greek bells mingled
Highlights Greek Easter Festival 2026
- 350th anniversary of the arrival of the Greeks in Corsica (1676-2026)
- 250th anniversary of the creation of the village of Cargèse
- Divine Liturgy in ancient Greek by Archimandrite Mgr Antoine Forget
- Easter Monday procession with exposition of the icon to the four cardinal points
- Participation of eight Corsican brotherhoods
- Unique Byzantine Catholic rite heritage in France
Prices Greek Easter Festival 2026
Practical information — Greek Easter Festival
Practical Information
Location
Greek-Catholic Saint-Spyridon Church (the so-called "Greek" church) and Latin Sainte-Marie Church, rue de Grèce, 20130 Cargèse (Corse-du-Sud). Some services also take place at the church of Piana, a neighboring commune.
Calendar
The Easter ceremonies follow the Gregorian Catholic calendar (and not the Julian Orthodox calendar). They take place annually from Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday.
Access
Cargèse is approximately 50 km north of Ajaccio via the D81 (coastal road). Parking around the village (during high season, plan to arrive early, the village is very busy during the Easter festivities).
Prices
Free and open access to all religious celebrations and the procession.
Contact
Cargèse Parish: 04 95 26 41 31. Official Facebook page: Église grecque-catholique S. Spyridon, Cargèse. Cargèse Tourist Office for general tourist information.
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Where does it take place — Greek Easter Festival
Église grecque Saint-Spyridon et Église latine Sainte-Marie
Rue de Grèce, 20130 Cargèse, 20130 Cargèse