Interlude Magazine

Inspiring | Interlude Magazine

SPRING
2021

 

The awesomeness of Pashkët, rites, and colors of Byzantine Easter in Piana degli Albanesi

The presence of the Albanian communities in Sicily dates back to 1500 when the Balkan peninsula was invaded by the Ottoman Turks and groups of refugees sought refuge on the southern Italian coasts, thus giving rise to numerous communities. In the only province of Palermo, we can count 5 distinct communities in the municipalities of Piana degli Albanesi, Contessa Entellina, Palazzo Adriano, Santa Cristina Gela, and Mezzojuso. The celebrations and sacred rites of these communities have their roots in the very rich Greek-Byzantine heritage and take place throughout the year, but we can say that they reach their peak in the celebration of Easter. 
Strongly rich in symbolism and charm is the celebration of the rites of the Holy Week in Piana degli Albanesi. 
The celebration begins on the Friday before Palm Sunday, when the song of Lazarus (Kënga Lazërit) is sung through the streets of the town. Then on Palm Sunday the Eparch crosses the town on a donkey blessing the palm trees. Very special are the rites of Good Friday, the day in which you can listen to the Vajtimet, typical songs that celebrate the Death of Christ and in which you can watch the procession through the streets of the town accompanied by moving funeral songs accompanied by the use of instruments of the very particular wood, from the typical Byzantine origin.
At midnight on Saturday, the clergy and the faithful with lighted candles set out in procession in the churchyard of the Eparchia of Piana degli Albanesi Cathedral, stopping in front of the closed door, where the Celebrant intimates to the powers of evil, represented by a voice coming from inside, not to obstruct the entrance of the procession. After a brief resistance from the occult forces, the doors of the temple open wide, and the procession, chanting Christós anésti (Christ is risen) in Greek and Albanian (Krishti u ngjall), enters the church flooded with light. After the liturgical function, choral groups parade through the city streets singing of the Anástasis (Resurrection). On Easter Sunday, Pashkët, a Holy Veil, an embroidered reliquary is exposed to the faithful, and an icon is carried in procession according to Byzantine custom. Suggestive is the hymn of the Resurrection, sung repeatedly during the Office of Dawn (órthros), by the Byzantine hymn-writer Giovanni Damasceno. The liturgy of St. John Chrysostom follows, officiated by the Concelebrants wrapped in precious sacred vestments. The solemn Pontifical ends with a large procession of women dressed in the characteristic Albanian costumes of the '400, who, after having participated in the sacred and solemn rites, parade along Corso Kastriota reaching the main square. At the end of the procession, in a riot of songs and colors, the blessing (bekimi) is given by the papas followed by the distribution of red eggs (vetë të kuqe), a symbol of rebirth. 
Red Easter eggs are a tradition in Piana that has been going on for centuries. Loaded with symbols that recall life, fertility, and the Resurrection, the red eggs, prepared for Holy Saturday, are eaten after midday when the bells start ringing again while the scent of incense floods the houses. They are also used to embellish Panaret (Easter Loaves) and are distributed to the faithful and tourists on Easter Sunday after the parade of women in traditional Albanian costumes and the blessing (bekimi). It is an oriental tradition of the Greek-Byzantine rite and of all the Arbëreshë families of Piana degli Albanesi to prepare red eggs (in Albanian vetë të kuqe, in Greek kokina avga) to celebrate Easter.



Credits to siciliainfesta.com

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