Arbëreschë Easter in Contessa Entellina

During the Easter period in Contessa Entellina very evocative rites take place which demonstrate the origins of this village, an Albanian community founded in the fifteenth century.
The rites of Pasqua Arbëreshë in Contessa Entellina have beginning on the Friday before Palm Sunday the day in which the resurrection of Lazarus is celebrated. In the evening you can watch the song of Lazarus which is intoned by the faithful who move in procession through the streets of the town, accompanied by the musical band.
On Palm Sunday, at the conclusion of the Holy Celebration, the traditional blessing of the olive branches takes place followed by a procession where ancient prayers are recited and popular religious songs are sung.
On the morning of Good Friday the visit to the tombs takes place, in the evening the procession of the dead Christ.
On Holy Saturday, at midnight, the Resurrection of Christ the Lord is celebrated. At the conclusion of the liturgical rites, a procession moves through the streets of the town intoning the traditional song Christòs Anèsti.
On Easter Sunday at the end of the liturgy in the Greek church , a procession moves towards the Church of the Madonna della Favara, of Roman rite, where Holy Easter is celebrated together.
A symbol of Easter day in Contessa Entellina are the traditional red eggs blessed dai papas, which are distributed to the faithful by girls wearing the traditional arbëresh costume of Contessa Entellina.

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