Every year on the evening before Orthodox Easter, the sky above Greek island Chios lights up with hundreds of celebratory rockets fired between two rival parishes.<br /><br />The traditional event is known as “rouketopolemos.”<br /><br />Villagers from the rival parishes of Aghios Markos and Panagia Ereithiani create the handmade rockets in their own homes and shops.<br /><br />Stavros, one of the rocket makers, explained how the event benefits the local community: “It is a great spectacle and known worldwide. It attracts many tourists and as a result this is good for the island. In coordination with all sides involved, we have managed to make it a safe event for all.”<br /><br />The winning village is the one which scores the most direct hits on their rival’s church, though it is often difficult to produce an accurate tally.
