The traditional religious custom of Anastenaria takes place every year in Mavrolefki of Drama, in a green landscape, in the chapel of Saints Constantine and Helen. During the three-day events, various rituals are performed, such as the gathering at the konaki, that is, a special shrine dedicated to the saints Constantine and Helen, the ecstatic dance, the incense burners, special wishes and chants, rhythmic drumbeats, holy communions, sacrifices, and processions of icons culminating in the bare-foot fire-walking ritual.

Rooted in the ancient Greek celebrations of Dionysus, the ritual was initiated by refugees from Eastern Thrace. On the eve of the feast, kourbani, a sacrifice of animals, takes place. On May 21, the ritual culminates with the fire of the anastenarides, the resurrected people, repeated on May 23, accompanied by music and dance events.

The name “anastenaria” comes from “anastenari”, the icon that the resurrected people (anastenarides) hold in their hands throughout the celebration.