Each year on the Greek island of Chios a breaktaking spectacle takes place between the parishioners of two churches, shocking those who see it for the first time.

The rocket war in the village of Vrondados is an old Orthodox Easter tradition that draws thousands of spectators.

“Obviously it is a bit frightening, it is impressive, but its also very surprising to see that on the day of Easter eve where everybody is supposed to love each other – well, they fight,” said Constantine Pavleas, a tourist from France.

The goal of the ritual is to hit the bell tower of the rival church in the village during midnight mass with handmade rockets, made from the ingredients of gunpowder.

You would think the parishioners inside the church would run for cover, but instead the service continues and they watch as the rockets strike.

The tradition goes back to the 19th century during the Ottoman occupation of Greece, an although its origin is not clear one legend says the island’s sailors used to fire cannons into the air during Easter, but the Ottomans, fearing a revolt, took away the cannons and locals had to replace them with rockets.

The villagers work all year to create tens of thousands of rockets, and it is a delicate and dangerous process that has claimed limbs in the past, because if not made properly, the rockets could explode.

The rockets’ force can chip off plaster and break windows, much to the dismay of homeowners, who cover their properties with metal sheeting to protect them.

The ritual is illegal, but police know they can’t stock an old tradition. Fire fighters end up spending the entire night putting out the fires of the rockets.

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