Christ recrucified

In Lycovrissi, a Greek village in Anatolia, custom has it that the Passion of Christ is re-enacted every seven years. Pope (Priest) Grigoris and the village nobles choose the people to take part: Christ is to be played by Manolios, a simple shepherd; John by Michelis, son of the local nobleman Patriarcheas; Judas by Panayiotaros; Mary Magdalene by a widow named Katerina.

Late in the afternoon, refugees persecuted by the Turks arrive from another village. They seek assistance, but Pope Grigoris turns them away, claiming that they bring a cholera epidemic with them. Led by Pope Fotis, the refugees find shelter on Sarakina, an inhospitable mountain. The only people to assist them are Manolios, Michelis, Katerina, Yiannakos and Konstandis (the last two were to play Peter and James).

Once he has been chosen to play Christ, Manolios changes day by day. He separates from his fiancée and decides to strive for the highest possible level of mental, spiritual and bodily purity, with Pope Fotis as his guide. At the feast of St. Elijah he defends the refugees and talks of the value of love and mercy, provoking reactions among his fellow villagers and incurring the wrath of Pope Grigoris.

In the meantime, Patriarcheas dies and Michelis decides to share out his property among the refugees. When the refugees come to Lycovrissi to take over the land, Pope Grigoris stirs up the locals and pronounces Michelis insane. Following his brother's violent death in the clash that ensues, Pope Grigoris tells the aga (local Turkish overlord) that Manolios is to blame for all their ills. He succeeds in getting Manolios condemned and delivered to the irate villagers. The frenzied mob gathers at the church, where Pope Grigoris excommunicates Manolios and signals to the faithful to execute him within the sacred building.

 Author: Nikos Kazantzakis

Category: Novels

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Dimensions: 17.50 x 11cm

Bookbinding: Paperback

Pages: 470

Language: English

ISBN: 9780571190218