Holy Week in Wallenland
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| Holy Week in Wallenland | |
|---|---|
     Clockwise from top-right: Procession of torches on Fire Monday, seguidores standing in a parade in Alomínah's Holy Week, flares for Fire Monday at Vao'okoà's Cathedral of Our Lady, intricately-designed statue of the Virgin Mary, a float on the streets of Vao'okoà | |
| Also called |
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| Observed by | Wallenland |
| Type | Religious, Historical, Cultural |
| Significance | Commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus |
| Celebrations | Processions, religious services |
| Begins | Palm Sunday |
| Ends | Fire Monday |
| Date | March 24, 2024 - April 1, 2024 |
| Frequency | annual |
Holy Week (Ońilo: Zemanái Saone; Qoati: Semana Santa) is the annual significant religious observance and tribute of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in Wallenland for Catholics, most Protestant groups and even the non-religious majority. The Holy Week now mainly serves as a cultural landmark and public holiday week in Wallenland.
Description
The festival follows the traditional Verdusian Catholic liturgy with glamorous parades of elaborate floats, people dressed in vibrant colours, self-flagellants, and the addition of Fire Monday which takes place after Easter Sunday and typically sees a large bonfire laden with white cloth. Catholic brotherhoods (also known as elekhātné'apìa in Ońilo and fraternidades in Qoati) perform penance processions and are a common sight during Holy Week and churches offering feasts.
A common feature in Wallenland is the almost general usage of the roupas dos seguidores or penitential robe for some of the participants in the processions, known as seguidores. This garment consists of a tunic, a hood with conical tip (capirote) used to conceal the face of the wearer, and sometimes a cloak. The exact colours and forms of these robes depend on the particular procession. They often carry processional candles or rough-hewn wooden crosses, may walk the city streets barefoot, and, in some places may carry shackles and chains on their feet as penance. In some areas, sections of the participants wear dresses freely inspired by the uniforms of the Roman Legion.
The other common feature is that every brotherhood carries magnificent floats or īkhátaoņavja saon with sculptures that depict different scenes from the gospels related to the passion of Christ or the Sorrows of Virgin Mary. Brotherhoods have owned and preserved these floats for centuries in some cases. Usually, the īkhátaoņavja saon are accompanied by marching bands performing specific compositions, devoted to the images and fraternities.
The Holy Week is not only a religious, cultural and social event but a touristic one. Many visitors from inside and outside Wallenland travel to attend the crowded processions. Every year, many hand guides are released, including timetables, routes and floats of every procession so visitors can easily follow the celebrations.
Despite decolonisation of the late 1950s and 1960s and the common use of Ońilo, Qoati is still used in some sermons and antiphons along with Latin.
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday (Domíngoho pā Ramaos in Ońilo; Domingo de Ramos in Qoati), worshippers bear palm leaves, either ornately woven or left naturally, for it to be blessed and thrown on the ground for the procession which is led by a donkey known as the pobraikavalō saon pā Jésus who is clothed with white cloth and carries a small effigy of Jesus Christ and several flowers
Holy Monday
On Holy Monday (Sékundevét pā Tēmplao; Segunda-feira Santa),
Holy Tuesday
Holy Tuesday (Teretsévét zāl Parabalōz; Terça-feira Santa),
Holy Wednesday
Holy Wednesday (Kwártrovét pā Eponéslàvap; Quarta-feira Santa),
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday (Kwéntrovét zā Zia; Quinta-feira Santa) is the fifth day of the Holy Week, commemorating the Last Supper. It is considered the Week's most vibrantly-coloured and lively day. It is observed with street processions and a feast known as the zia zā prezēnte pā deosa. The zia zā prezēnte pā deosa
Good Friday
Good Friday (Sēktavét zāl Dāltel; Sexta-feira Santa) is the sixth day of the Week and perhaps the most solemn, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus. It is observed with street processions, the Way of the Cross, sermons and prayers, churches will also drape their doors in black banners and all flags are lowered to half-mast. . In some communities, self-crucifixion is a regular practice with three men to imitate Jesus' crucifixion as well as the two thieves that died beside Jesus. This practice is frowned upon by the Church of Verdusa and the government of Wallenland, sighting health risks. Despite this, the practice persists with those imitating the crucifxion crucified for a limited time. Pre-sterilised nails are utilised and a foot rest, as well. The Ministry of Health and Safety recommends participants to have tetanus shots.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday (Sábatao pā Gloría; Sábado Santo), .