Chios ‘Rocket War’ lights up Vrontados as Easter tradition continues in Greece

Thousands of homemade rockets lit up the night sky over Vrontados on the Greek island of Chios during the annual ‘Rocket War’ (Rouketopolemos), a long-running Orthodox Easter tradition staged between two rival parish churches.

Local reporting says the event went ahead after several days of uncertainty and public debate about whether it would take place. Organised firing was carried out from pre-agreed launch points, in an effort to keep the evening more controlled and safer.

The two churches at the centre of the tradition are Agios Markos (Saint Mark’s) and Panagia Ereithiani. Their congregations traditionally fire rockets towards each other’s bell towers as part of the Orthodox Easter celebrations, turning the area between the parishes into a dramatic display of light and noise.

The display of rocket firing is said to be one of the most unusual traditions for the country

The 2026 event drew large crowds, including visitors from Greece and from abroad, the spectacle also attracted the attention of media teams and journalists who travelled to Chios to film and photograph what is often described as one of Greece’s most unusual Easter customs.

In the wider Orthodox world, fireworks are commonly used during the Paschal Vigil, the midnight Easter service marking the Resurrection. In Vrontados, Rouketopolemos is a local version of that tradition, shaped into a symbolic “battle” focused on the two churches’ bell towers. After the firing ends, hits are traditionally counted, and each side typically claims victory. Older celebrations involved cannons, which were later prohibited, leading to the use of rockets instead.

This year’s staging carried extra weight because it followed a tense period for the tradition. Strong pressure, checks and a heavy atmosphere were in the days leading up to Easter, with decisions repeatedly pushed back and some locals believing it might be cancelled at the last moment. A final decision was taken on Holy Saturday afternoon, confirming the Rocket War would go ahead. 

The official start was marked with a parade of the teams along the seafront

Earlier in the evening, at around 6pm, there was a joint parade of the ‘rocket teams’ along the Vrontados seafront, marking the official start of the night’s organised programme. After that, the teams moved into their firing positions, and planned pauses were included during the launches to help manage crowd movement and access around the two parishes.

Supporters of the event argue the Rocket War is an important part of local identity and a tradition that brings the community together during the most significant period of the Orthodox calendar. They also point to the tourism impact, because the spectacle draws visitors and international attention that can benefit local businesses over Easter.

Critics, however, say the event carries unavoidable risks. Large numbers of rockets and fireworks can lead to injuries, fires or accidents, and complaints about damage to homes and buildings near the firing zone have been a recurring issue over the years.

Public figures say the event should continue but with caution and reduced danger

This year’s debate also links to a recent incident involving a fire at a rocket-making site. The incident caused burns and led to arrests and criminal charges related to fireworks and pyrotechnics legislation, as well as charges connected to negligent arson. In total, seven people were reported as arrested, with three taken to the prosecutor’s office and others remaining in hospital. The case sparked strong reactions in Vrontados, with residents and professionals gathering outside the police directorate and the prosecutor’s office to show support for those facing prosecution. Public figures also weighed in, locally born astrophysicist Stamatis Krimizis attended the parade and spoke in favour of protecting participants rather than criminalising them, while stressing that children’s safety and proper training should come first. Public comments from the president of the Chios Tourism Board, Kostas Moundros, who said the custom is deeply rooted and should continue with reduced danger, and from the mayor of Chios, Giannis Malafis, who emphasised the need for caution so the event remains manageable without extremes.

For those in Vrontados, the 2026 Rocket War going ahead proved the tradition is still appreciated and alive.