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statues of this episode also include one or two Roman soldiers), Jesus
Crowned with thorns otherwise known as the 'Ecce Homo' (Recent statues of this episode include the figure of Pontius Pilate), Jesus Falls Under the Cross (Recent statues include the figure of a Roman soldier), The Veronica (some even contain the women of Jerusalem), 'Il-Vara l-Kbira' (The Crucifixion), The Burial of Christ (2 localities don't have the usual Christ in the urn figure but have the Deposition episode) and our Lady of Sorrows. As mentioned earlier, nowadays there are processions with statues like: The Last Supper (found in Qormi and Żebbuġ, Gozo), Peter's Denial (found only in Nadur, Gozo), Jesus meets his Mother (found in Qormi, Paola and Xagħra), Simon the Cyrene helps Jesus with the Cross (Found in Żejtun, Ħaż-Żebbuġ) The tenth Station (Or Jesus is Undressed to be Crucified, which can only be found in Rabat), Jesus is lowered from the cross (found only in Qala) and The Dead body of Jesus is given to his Mother Mary (Otherwise known as Il-Pietà which can be found in Żejtun and Qormi).
351:, or "Altars of Repose", in seven different churches. Sombre and solemn religious processions and pageants are held in many villages, with statues and costumed, local, amateur actors representing scenes from the Passion of Christ. In some parts of Malta, these processions will include a number of penitents dressed in white robes and hoods, walking barefoot ( sometimes with chains tied to their ankles) as an act of penance or in fulfilment of a vow. This is a unique, medieval tradition which still survives today. Easter Sunday in Malta, by contrast, is marked by the incessant pealing of church bells, and festive, fast-paced processions, with the youth of each town running through the streets bearing sculptures of the Risen Christ.
328:. Grand Statues are taken out of the Churches, each one depicting a specific stage in the stations of the cross; these States are over 6 feet tall and are highly decorated in gold; those who take part in the processions and carrying the statues will vary from the very young to the very old and each one who has it will hold it as a badge of honour these statues are large and heavy in nature. Some figures require up to ten people to hoist them. Behind the statues, you would see more people dressed up as Roman soldiers carrying swords and nets whilst some soldiers are cracking whips in front of the statue in a respectable manner.
309:, the eve of Good Friday, is a solemn occasion where there are Last Supper re-enactments and displays in multiple locations around Malta, with the most significant one that taking place at Ta' Passi fields during the night before. Then after the Mass, there is a tradition called the "Seven visits", where Maltese families would gather after Mass and traditionally visit seven churches throughout the night carrying candles and laying those candles in all seven churches; after that, everyone will go home in pitch-black darkness without the guidance of the candles.
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486:) which is carried shoulder high by parishioners. The statue bearers run with the statue through the main streets of the village to the applause of the crowds. Throughout the procession people throw paper confetti from windows and balconies, adding to the joyous atmosphere of the day. In contrast to the sombre and solemn Good Friday processions, on Easter Sunday, brass bands play joyous tunes all along the procession. Children too enjoy, thanks to gifts of
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224:, typically on the Friday before Good Friday, it is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows Day (Jum id-Duluri). The main procession takes place in Valletta, the capital of Malta, but many other smaller villages also have their own. Participants would amble behind the Lady of Sorrows, reciting prayers; some worshippers would also walk in heavy chains barefoot as a sign of respect.
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commences on Palm Sunday, a week before Easter Sunday. Palm leaves blessed with holy water by the priest are tied into the shape of the cross and are distributed to each household in Malta along with olive leaf branches. Traditionally after Mass, there is a prodigious parade where parishioners would
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During Holy Week, members of the community create artworks with either coloured salt or coloured rice. The lifespan of these salt and rice artworks is very short. Being made from perishable items, they will have to be thrown away after Holy Week is over. This painstaking art form was started during
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This is the saddest point. During Holy Week, There are no sounds of church bells to be heard, and the mood is very melancholy. Across the island, some masses take place in the afternoon, which are only done outside; you cannot enter any churches at all on this day. Many people wear black clothes to
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and the first one in Gozo was in
Victoria (Rabat). Not all of these processions have the same number of statues, the traditional number of statues is 8 but as years went on more statues were introduced. The 8 traditional statues show: Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, The Flagellation (Recent
538:. The figolla is the most sought after Easter food. They are baked in Easter and given to friends and family, especially children, on Easter Sunday. The figolla is a sweet almond Easter cake covered in icing or chocolate and formed in a festive shape, such as a rabbit, fish, chick, duck or the
498:', usually a pastry figure of a lamb or fish which are carried with them and hold out to be blessed by the Risen Christ as the statue makes its way past them. Whilst a good number of localities hold these processions, the most popular with locals are those held in the Three Cities:
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with traditional food, re-enactments and performances, and religious processions. Those who participate in ceremonial occasions and re-enactments do so with great enthusiasm and consider it the most hallowed event in the Roman
Catholic Calendar.
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During the Lenten period, the churches' exterior and interiors would be draped in purple linen, With all the faces of the statues and paintings will be covered from observance for the penitential season.
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over a number of days, generally in the evenings. The traditional Way of the Cross is another very popular devotion during this period, with the faithful meditating at the fourteen
Stations of the Cross
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It is a tradition that a loaf of bread be eaten after the Seven Visits on Maundy
Thursday. It is a ring-shaped loaf of bread made with honey and garnished with almonds and sesame seeds
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in practically every town and village. Traditionally, some of the penitents walk barefoot or drag heavy chains tied to their feet, as a sign of repent whilst also wearing a sizeable pointed
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A number of penitential pilgrimages are also held, and statues depicting scenes from the
Passion are venerated in several churches. Some churches also dress in black damask.
133:, is commemorated with a Mass, when the Priest would mark the sign of the cross in ash on the forehead of worshippers, translating to grief and mourning for one's sins.
167:. There are also people that do not eat meat and sweets, every Wednesday and Friday throughout these 40 days. Holy week starts during the last week of lent with
247:, usually in a wide array of colours covering their identity from others, fulfilling a vow for favours received through divine intercession. The most popular
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524:(Apostles' Rings), which are circular loaves of unleavened bread studded with roasted almonds and sprinkled with sesame seeds, and honey cakes known as
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Judas, detail from statue used during Good Friday processions in Qormi, Malta.
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The Good Friday ritual in Malta includes visits to seven
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when palm branches were placed before him in his path.
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It is said that the first procession in Malta was in
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737:"Best Holy Week and Easter activities around Malta"
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80:Learn how and when to remove this message
557:Traditional food of Lent and Good Friday
43:This article includes a list of general
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364:List of notable observances in Malta:
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681:Debono, Sylvana (February 8, 2021).
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754:Camilleri, Matthew (2021-03-30).
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