Among the most impressive and ancient manifestations which take place in the Sorrentine Peninsule, have emerged and become popular the traditional processions of the Holy Friday both for their character of deep religious compassion and for their extraordinary local folklore.
From the sunset of the Holy Thursday to the Holy Friday night which precede Easter, there are about 15 processions that wind among the streets of all the towns of the Sorrentine Peninsule from Vico Equense to Massa Lubrense to recall the mystery of the Passion and Death of Christ. The two principal processions that are developed in Sorrento on Holy Friday are: “The Lady of Sorrows” or of the "Visit in the sepulchres", and “The procession of the Dead Christ”. The first procession takes place at 3:30 AM on Good Friday and involves hundreds of participants dressed in hooded white gowns. The Madonna is carried aloft in the procession, and accompanied by several religious articles as she searches the town looking for her son. The procession commences in the Corso Italia, turns through Piazza Tasso, and then visits each of the town's churches - stopping in each one for a short ceremony. The Madonna is accompanied by aides carrying incense, and a large male choir and band. The procession concludes at 5:30 AM.
The second procession occurs at 8 PM on Good Friday and reflects the Madonna's mourning as she finds her son dead. Hundreds of participants, dressed this time in hooded black gowns, march down the Corso Italia and then wind through the smaller laneways of Sorrento. This procession is much larger and better attended generally.
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