Easter in Piana degli Albanesi

Celebrated by the Albanian community, Easter in Piana degli Albanesi features sacred music and Greek-Orthodox rites along with other customs and practices. The sacred musical pieces narrating the passion of Christ on Good Friday are not to be missed.

The week before Easter, rehearsals take place for the Lazeri, sacred songs to commemorate the resurrection of Lazzaro. On Palm Sunday, the archbishop enters the town on horseback, re-enacting the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, while four days later, the priest impersonating St Peter is washed by the archbishop.

The Saturday preceding Easter Sunday features full immersion baptisms, a typical Greek-Orthodox rite performed by priests wearing white robes symbolising new life. On Easter Sunday believers are reunited in the cathedral of San Demetrio.