Christ Recrucified possesses all the characteristics that have made Zorba the Greek famous, but it goes much further. The novel is set within the narrow confines of a Greek village under Turkish rule.

The Greek villagers, who plan to reenact the life of Christ in a secret performance, are overwhelmed by their mission. They try to identify with the roles they have undertaken. When a group of refugees, fleeing from their devastated homelands, arrives in the village hoping to find protection, the dramatic story of the Passion becomes reality.