Easter in Riesi
Cyrano - CC1.0
The rites of the Holy Week in Riesi are characterized by the Easter Saints. These are the five simulacra of Veronica, the Ecce Homo, the Addolorata, San Giovanni and the Crucified Jesus, kept in the church of lu chianu Signuri, which remain on display the week before Palm Sunday, and which are carried in procession during Holy Week. The opening of the Church in which the simulacra are kept is a moment very attended by the population, it takes place in the late afternoon of Saturday, and is announced by the firing of firecrackers.
On Palm Sunday it takes place the traditional blessing of olive branches and palm trees and the procession during which the statues of Saints Peter and Paul are carried on shoulders through the streets of the centre.
On Holy Thursday the statues of San Giovanni and Ecce Homo from the Church of SS. Crucifix are carried up to the steps of San Giuseppe, the place where the sacred representation of the condemnation takes place.
On Good Friday the celebrations begin at 5 in the morning when the statues of Our Lady of Sorrows and of San Giovanni are led through the streets of the city center in search of Jesus Christ. Only in the early afternoon does the meeting between Our Lady of Sorrows and Christ take place, followed by the procession towards Calvary where the Crucifixion takes place. Particularly suggestive and moving is the scinnence, or the deposition of the body of the Dead Christ. The day ends with the procession accompanying the simulacrum of the dead Christ up to the Church of the SS. Crocifisso.
On Easter Sunday the traditional encounter between the Madonna and the Risen Christ takes place.
Dates and Scheduling
17 Apr 2025
10:30 Chrism Mass presided over by the Bishop in the Cathedral in Piazza Armerina.
18:00 Holy Mass in Coena Domini (San Giovanni Bosco)
Parrocchia San Giovanni Bosco
18:30 Holy Mass in Coena Domini (Chiesa Madre e SS. Salvatore).
followed by Adoration at the Altar of Repose.
20:30 Procession of the Ecce Homo and Saint John and sacred drama “The Condemnation”.
18 Apr 2025
04:30 Firing of 21 cannon shots.
05:00 Opening of the Mother Church.
05:30 Exit of the Addolorata and of San Giovanni.
15:00 The Joint of Christ with the Sorrowful Mother.
Ascent to Calvary and Crucifixion.
17:00 The Passion of the Lord.
Parrocchia San Giovanni Bosco
17:30 The Passion of the Lord.
Chiesa Madre
18:00 The Passion of the Lord.
Chiesa Santissimo Salvatore
19:00 Procession with the Urn from the Mother Church to Calvary.
20:00 Sacred Drama “La Scinnenza” and procession with the Dead Christ..
24:00 Return of the Urn to the Mother Church.
19 Apr 2025
Holy Saturday
On Holy Saturday the Church pauses at the tomb of her Lord, meditating on his Passion and Death, until the Easter Vigil..
19:00 Solemn Easter Vigil.
Chiesa Santissimo Salvatore
22:30 Solemn Easter Vigil.
Chiesa Madre
22:30 Solemn Easter Vigil.
Parrocchia San Giovanni Bosco
24:00 Musketeer fire.
20 Apr 2025
Easter Sunday
08:00 Firing of 21 cannon shots.
08:30 Holy Mass.
Parrocchia San Giovanni Bosco
10:30 First Easter "Giunta". The Risen Christ meets his Mother.
11:00 Solemn Concelebration in the Mother Church.
Chiesa Madre
18:30 Holy Mass (San Giovanni Bosco e Ss. Salvatore).
19:00 Holy Mass.
Chiesa Madre
20:30 Second Easter "Giunta".
followed by Fireworks in Piazza Garibaldi.
Piazza Garibaldi
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References
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