The rites of Holy Week in Stilo

From Monday to Easter Sunday, the community of Stilo gathers to celebrate the rites of Holy Week in the churches, churchyards and streets of the village shrouded in the darkness of the night. In addition to the ecclesiastical rites and family traditions, such as the preparation of Easter cakes, there are special celebrations that ignite enthusiasm and participation, involving confraternities, associations and citizens. The most heartfelt moments are the last days of the week: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.Friday opens with the procession of Our Lady of Sorrows, with the statue of Our Lady dressed in dark yet regal clothes. The procession takes place at night, with the band playing solemn and melancholy themes.Saturday is theturn of the procession of "gucciadate," doughnut-shaped breads carried hanging on long crosses made of reeds. Sunday, Easter Day, around noon is the great procession with the mournfully dressed Madonna, covered with a black veil, which ends with the Cunfrunta: the statue of St. John shuttles between that of the Madonna and that of the risen Christ, who after a while run off to embrace each other again. And it is just before the meeting that the black veil falls, releasing the regal colors of Our Lady's clothes. A truly touching moment to be shared with the community of Stilo.