The Procession de la Sanch (Processó de la Sanch in
Catalan
Catalan may refer to:
Catalonia
From, or related to Catalonia:
* Catalan language, a Romance language
* Catalans, an ethnic group formed by the people from, or with origins in, Northern or southern Catalonia
Places
* 13178 Catalan, asteroid ...
) is an annual ceremony in several towns in the
French Catalonia
Northern Catalonia, North Catalonia, ; french: Catalogne (du) Nord ; oc, Catalonha (del) Nòrd; es, Cataluña (del) Norte) French Catalonia or Roussillon refers to the Catalan-speaking and Catalan-culture territory ceded to France by Spain t ...
. It is held during
Holy Week
Holy Week ( la, Hebdomada Sancta or , ; grc, Ἁγία καὶ Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάς, translit=Hagia kai Megale Hebdomas, lit=Holy and Great Week) is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity. In Eastern Churches, wh ...
on
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday (also Ho ...
('Vendredi Saint'/'Divendres Sant'). Historically, a distinctive peaked, masked robe (the
capirote
A capirote is a Catholic pointed hat of conical form that is used in Spain and Hispanic countries by members of a confraternity of penitents. It is part of the uniform of such brotherhoods including the '' Nazarenos'' and ''Fariseos'' during ...
) was used to protect the identity of prisoners (from revenge by those wronged) being led to their town's annual execution. This practical ceremony intermingled with Christian traditions of Good Friday, and today a long procession of black-robed people are led in silence by the red-robed ''regidor'' to the solemn tapping of a tambourine, as part of the Good Friday celebrations.
Description of the ceremony
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References
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Holy Week processions
Masquerade ceremonies
Pyrénées-Orientales
Ceremonies in France
Annual events in France
Masks in Europe
Spring (season) events in France