Full Easter schedules weather permitting

Religious parades and other Easter activities

This weekend the whole of Spain will be dedicating this wekend to Easter celebrations. Here is a list of the most important parades, concerts, representations, as well as fairs and many activities for children to take part in.

DÉNIA

Good Friday, April 19 Parish Church of San Miguel 09.00: Prayers followed by Via Crucis. Adoration of Christ, followed by re-enactment of the Passion of Christ

11.00: Re-enactment of the Passion of Christ and the death of Our Lord Jesus

19.30: Transporting of the images of Christ to the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Parish Church of San Antonio

09.00: Prayer service. Adoration of Christ, followed by re-enactment of the Passion of Christ 18.00: Re-enactment of the Passion of Christ and the death of Our Lord Jesus Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

09.00: Prayer service. Adoration of Christ, followed by re-enactment of the Passion of Christ 19.00: Re-enactment of the Passion of Christ and the death of Our Lord Jesus

20.30: Procession depicting the crucifixion with capirotes, marching bands and floats, through Dénia old town Saturday, April 20 Parish Church of San Miguel 22.00: Vigil service awaiting the Resurrection of Christ Parish Church of San Antonio

09.00: Prayers for the soul of Christ and in companionship with the grieving Virgin Mary 23.00: Vigil service awaiting the Resurrection of Christ Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

20.30: Vigil service awaiting the Resurrection of Christ Easter Sunday, April 21 Parish Church of San Miguel 09.00: Mass

09.30: Procession followed by the Reencuentro (‘reunion’) between the resurrected Christ and the Virgin Mary, starting from the church via the Plaza Jaume I, as far as the crossroads between the C/ Sagunto and the C/ Patricio Ferrándiz 11.00: Mass

GANDIA

Good Friday, April 19 07.00: Parade of the crosses with the brotherhood ‘Christ of the Flagellation’, starting from the Semana Santa Museum 08.00: Via Crucis procession 08.00: Procession with the Virgin Mary from the Borgia Palace church to the Plaza Mayor 12.30: Children’s procession from the parish church of San José

17.00: Marching band parade from the C/ San Francisco de Borja

19.00: Good Friday procession re-enacting the crucifixion, starting from the Escuelas Pías church Saturday, April 20

12.30: Musical re-enactment of the Visitatio Sepulchri in the Borgia Palace church – entrance free

21.15: Procession of Silence – vigil for the eve of the Resurrection – from the Borgia Palace church Easter Sunday, April 21

10.30: Procession with all Easter brotherhoods, starting from the Borgia Palace, for the Reencuentro (‘reunion’) of the resurrected Christ and the Virgin Mary in the Plaza Mayor

JAVEA

Easter weekend in Javea includes a solemn and holy procession through the streets of the old town starting at 19.30 on Good Friday.

Four religious statues are carried on the parade, accompanied by dignified music from the town band and the voices of a male choir – those taking part or witnessing the progression describe it as both emotional and moving.

There is an artisan fair running throughout the weekend of the holiday in the historic centre; on Easter Sunday members of the various associations of the town’s ‘penyas’ gather in the church square after noon mass – there are stalls selling food and drink and an upbeat atmosphere. The religious programme for the San Bartolome church in the old town and the parish church of Nuestra Senora de Loreto in the port is: San Bartolome church Thursday, April 18: 1700, Eucharist (Convento de las Agustinas); 18.30, Eucharist; 20.00 Solemn Eucharist of the Last Supper; 23.00, Mass. Friday, April 19 (Good Friday): 07.00 devotional procession ‘Stations of the Cross’; 16.00, celebration of the death of the Lord (Convento de las Augustinas); 17.30, celebration of the death of the Lord; 19.30, holy procession through the streets. Saturday, April 20: 22.00 solemn Easter vigil.

Sunday, April 21 (Easter Sunday): 09.00 Eucharist (Convento

de las Augustinas); 10.00, 12.00 and 19.00, Eucharist. Nuestra Senora de Loreto (the Fishermen’s church):

Thursday, April 18: 17.00 Eucharist; 19.00 Eucharist; 20.00, solemn Eucharist of the Last Supper and Washing of the feet; 23.00, mass.

Friday, April 19: 06.45, devotional procession ‘Stations of the Cross’; 10.00 mass for children and families; 19.00, celebration of the Passion of the Lord. Saturday, April 20: 22.30, solemn Easter vigil.

Sunday, April 21: 09.00, 11.00, 12.00, 19.00 and 20.00, Eucharist.

LA NUCÍA

The Passion of Christ

On Thursday, April 18, at 23.00 La Nucia will stage the dramatic re-enactment of The Passion, depicting the last 11 scenes of Jesus Christ leading to his crucifixion.

This religious theatrical performance involves over 100 amateur performers of all ages and become a tradition on Holy Thursday for the last 22 years, attracting huge crowds to the moving and at time haunting production played out under a full moon.

The first three scenes take place at on the steps of the church in the main square and subsequent 8 scenes are staged at the Calvari.

MORAIRA

Religious Ceremonies Programme

Thursday, April 18 18:30h Holy Mass - Mass of the Lord’s Supper

23:00h. Procession of the Silence. Organized by the “Cofradía Del Silencio” Friday, April 19

07:30h. Via Crucis. 17:00h. Liturgical Service. Passion of Jesus Saturday, April 20

00:00h. Solemn Easter Vigil in the Resurrection of the Lord. Sunday, April 21

11:00h. Solemn mass of Easter. 12:00h and 20:00h. Mass April 15-20: Family Activities at the “CASTELL DE MORAIRA” Exhibition of the coastal defence system and an audio-visual display about the pirates of the Mediterranean Sea. Opening Hours: 10:00 to 13:00 Free guided tours Thursday, April 18: Historical centre of Teulada in English Departure point: Teulada town hall square at 18:00 – registration is required by calling 965 74 51 68 Outdoor activities for children Friday, April 19 Paint Ball in Teulada – morning and afternoon. Ages 12 years and up. Saturday, April 20

Skates and Scooters (from 12 years). Located at the football ground at the sports centre ‘Les Sorts’ Moraira. Children must bring their own equipment and protection (minimum of a helmet and knee pads). Hours: Morning and afternoon. 18:00 to 21:00 - Family Games, Castle esplanade, Moraira

OLIVA

Good Friday, 19 April 06.30: Via Crucis and Sermon on the Mount, from the Santa María parish church to the Rebollet church

10.15: Parade down the Stations of the Cross (Santa Anna castle mountain) to the Rebollet church 17.00: Liturgy for the death of Christ in the parish churches of San Roque and San Francisco

17.30: Liturgy for the death of Christ in the parish church of Santa María

18.30: Re-enactment of the removal of Christ from the cross and his funeral procession, accompanied by symphonic poem (music by José Climent and lyrics by Salvador Soler i Soler) in the parish church of Santa María

20.00: Procession depicting the crucifixion featuring capirotes, marching bands and floats, via the N-332 Saturday, April 20

23.00: Vigil service awaiting the Resurrection of Christ in all parish churches Sunday, April 21

08.30: Resurrection service in all churches, followed by parade down to the Paseo de Juan Carlos I

10.15: Santo Encuentro, or ‘reunion’ between Jesus and Mary

ONDARA

Good Friday, April 19 07.00: Via Crucis from parish church to cemetery via the C/ Luis Santonja, Plaza Mayor, C/ Sant Benet, C/ Roda, C/ Llibertat, C/ Mare de Déu del Roser, C/ Sant Jaume and C/ Dénia (note: event will be cancelled in the event of rain)

20.00: Service for the death of Christ at the parish church 22.00: Good Friday procession depicting the crucifixion with capirotes, floats and marching bands, starting and finishing on the C/ Convent via the C/ Sant Vicent, C/ Mayor, C/ Roser, C/ Sol, C/ Sant Benet, C/ Sant Cristòfol and C/ Virtuts Saturday, April 20

20.30: Solemn vigil awaiting the

Resurrection at the parish church Easter Sunday, April 21

08.00: Reencuentro ('reunion') between the newly-resurrected Christ and his mother the Virgin Mary in the Plaza Mayor, followed by procession to parish church and Easter Sunday mass

ONTINYENT

Good Friday, April 19 10.00: Solemn procession from San José church to San Miguel church via the C/ José Iranzo, C/ Puríssima, C/ Morereta, C/ Sant Domingo and C/ Tomàs Valls

10.50: Solemn procession from San Miguel church via the C/ Tomàs Valls, C/ Sant Jaume, Plaça de la Coronació, C/ Rafael Juan Vidal, Avenida Comte Torrefiel, C/ Magdalena, and the Carmelite convent 11.00: Solemn procession from San Miguel church carrying the statue of Santa Faç, accompanied by percussion and Cornet band, via above route. Reenactment of Veronica cleansing Christ’s face and reunion with the Virgin Mary, followed by prayers

11.00: Solemn procession from the C/Sant Antoni to the La Concepción hermitage chapel, accompanied by marching bands, via the Avenida Francisco Cerdà, C/ José Simó Marín, C/ Dos de Maig, C/ l’Almoina d’Eixea, C/ Josep Melcior Gomis, C/ Maians, Plaça Major, C/ Regall, C/ Magdalena, C/ Fossaret, Plaça de la Vila, and the Asunción de Santa María church

11.30: Solemn procession followed by bell-ringing from the San Francisco church, depicting Christ’s entry to Jerusalem, via the C/ Josep Melcior Gomis, C/ Maians and the Plaça Major; procession carrying the statue of the grieving Mary, from San Miguel church to the Plaça Major following the 10.50 route

Noon: Re-enactment of Christ’s final meeting with the Virgin Mary kneeling before her son, followed by procession along the C/ Regall and C/ Magdalena as far as the convent, up the C/ Fossaret to the Plaça de la Vila, and ending at the Asunción de Santa María church 19.00: Procession depicting the crucifixion with capirotes, floats and marching bands, from the convent and Asunción church, via the C/ Magdalena, Avenida Comte Torrefiel, C/ Rafael Juan Vidal, Plaça de la Coronació, C/ Sant Antoni, C/ l’Aurora, C/ Puríssima, C/ Morereta, Plaça Sant Domingo, C/ Alcalde Paco Montés, C/ Dos de Maig, C/ l’Almoina d’Eixea, C/ Josep Melcior Gomis and C/ Maians to the Plaça Major, followed by prayers upon arrival Saturday, April 20

11.00: Vigil service at the Asunción de Santa María church Midnight: ‘Bakers’ Night’ in the old town to mark the end of Lent – choir sings Gloria at the Asunción church and gathering in the Plaça de Sant Roc, lighting of the ‘Lent candles’ and ‘cheerful and noisy’ parade. Participants bash drums and cymbals, rattle cans and maracas, and whistle, to make as much noise as possible. Parade ends in the Plaça Major, via the C/ del Palau, Plaçeta El Fossaret, Plaça de la Vila, C/ l’Església, C/ Sant Pere, C/ Trinitat, C/ Muralla (by Casa Barberá), C/ Trinitat, and C/ les Roses Easter Sunday, April 21

11.00: ‘Hoods-down’ procession carrying the newly-resurrected Christ followed by reencuentro (‘reunion’) between Jesus and the Virgin Mary, starting from San Francisco church to the Plaça Major via the C/ Josep Melcior Gomis, C/ Maians, C/ Morales and Plaça de Baix; Virgin Mary carried by procession from the C/ Tomàs Valls to the Plaça Major via the C/ Sant Jaume, Plaça de la Coronació, C/ Rafael Juan Vidal, Avenida Comte Torrefiel and C/ Regall Noon: Reencuentro in the Plaça Major, joyful singing and sweets thrown, then Jesus and Mary are returned to their respective churches in separate processions

PEGO

Good Friday (April 19) 08.00: Via Crucis ('way of the cross') at the foot of the stations of the cross

07.30: Procession up the stations of the cross from the Ecce-Homo chapel in the town hall square via the Pla de la Font and Paseo Cervantes, then returning via the same route, with all Easter brotherhoods: Cruz de las Insignias (Cross of the Insignias), Cristo de la Providencia (Christ of the Providence),Oración del Huerto (Prayer of the Fields), Cristo de la Columna (Christ of the Pillar), Santísimo. EcceHomo (Most Holy Every Man), Virgen de la Piedad (Virgin of Piety), Jesús de Medinaceli (Jesus of Medinaceli), Mujer Verónica (The Lady Verónica), Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of the Pain) and Jesús Nazareno (Jesus of Nazareth) Noon: Good Friday service in La Asunción church

18.00: 'Mourning' service for the crucifixion in the Sagrada Familia church

18.30: 'Mourning' service for the crucifixion in the La Asunción church

21.30: Procession depicting the crucifixion with all Easter brotherhoods (as above) and civilians, starting and finishing in the Ecce-Homo chapel in the town hall square via the C/ Capitán Cendra, C/ San Jaime, C/ San Agustín, C/ Argentina, C/ Ramón y Cajal, C/ Camilo Pérez, C/ Mar, C/ Jaime I, and C/ Mayor Easter Saturday April, 20

20.30: Solemn Vigil of Christ in the La Asunción church 23.00: Solemn Vigil of Christ in the Sagrada Familia church Easter Sunday April, 21

10.00: Reencuentro: Depiction of the resurrection of Christ and reunion with the Virgin Mary in the Pla de la Font – processions start from the Sagrada Familia church (Plaza del Convento) and La Asunción church (town hall square) with all brotherhoods as named above, finalising with the performance of the Hymn for Happiness by the band La Clandestina and return parade back to churches for celebration of Easter Sunday Eucharist service

VALENCIA

In Valencia, the most notorious celebrations during Easter is the ‘Semana Santa Marinera’, which takes place in the three seafront neighbourhoods – Grau, Cabanyal and Canyamelar.

Each of the parishes of the three neighbourhoods holds its own masses and processions at

different times until April 21, but there are three main events where all 30 religious groups of the neighbourhoods get together and hold joint ceremonies while visiting the four main parishes: Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, Cristo Redentor, Santa María del Mar and Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Thursday, April 18

20.00: The Santa María del Mar parish will hold the Act of the Prophecy, which is followed by the procession to visit the ‘holy monuments’. The procession takes place with music, and participants will visit all four religious temples to pray. The event finishes at around 22.00. Friday, April 19

18.30: The most notorious event of the Semana Santa Marinera, where all groups get together with their religious images, biblical characters and music. It is a solemn procession through the four main parishes, visiting the artistic heritage of Valencia between each one. The event lasts until 01.30 and ends with the entrance of the ‘reclining Christ’ into the Nuestra Señora del Rosario parish. Sunday, April 21

13.00: The act that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and concludes the Easter events. It is a procession filled with colour and light, with the audience clapping as the religious representatives complete the route and throw them flowers back in return. The music is happy this time, in honour of the event being celebrated. This act also crosses the four main parishes and is scheduled to finish at around 14.30.

XÀTIVA

Good Friday, April 19 08.00: Procession with statue of the body of Christ from the town hall via the C/ Albereda Jaume I, Plaza La Bassa, C/ Canonge Cebrià, C/ Trobat, C/ Botigues, market square, C/ Noguera and C/ Abat Plà, as far as the Basilica de Santa María Collegiate church 18.30: Solemn procession depicting the crucifixion with capirotes and marching bands, from the Basilica de Santa María Collegiate church via the usual route Easter Sunday, April 21

10.00: Procession to music with statues of Mary and Jesus, from the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Jesus' route: C/ Germanies, C/ Acadèmic Maravall, C/ República Argentina, C/ Pare Claret, and C/ Pintor Guiteres; Mary's route: from the east entrance to the church along the Avenida la Ribera and back via the C/ Azorín and C/ Ramón y Cajal

10.30: Reencuentro ('reunion') of the resurrected Christ and the Virgin Mary in the Plaza del País Valencià, then return parade via the C/ Maulets, C/ Acadèmic Maravall and C/ Germanies to the church, followed by Eucharist service