Feast of the Jews of San Fratello – Easter

In Italy there are countries where traditions still have their value and San Fratello in province of Messina, is a practical example. In fact the Feast of the Jews of San Fratello involves the majority of the local population who are committed to carrying out this celebration of Easter which affects the whole Holy Week.

The Feast of the Jews begins almost at dawn on Holy Wednesday for which, in all the parishes of the town, the sepulchers. On this day women remain in religious silence and it is customary to wear the head of the Madonna della Pietà with a mournful black cloth bringing complimentary dishes containing chickpeas, lentils and wheat as a votive offering. Girlfriends also respect the tradition sending a lamb made from almond paste to your boyfriend's house which will be consumed together during Easter.

It is certainly the only demonstration of its kind in all of Sicily, this representation which recalls the Jews who accused and beat Jesus before leading him to Mount Calvary.

Il Jew of San Fratello he must be understood as the flagellator, the crucifixer or as Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced the Redeemer's side with his spear and, for this reason, the interpreter of the event must appear grotesque.

For centuries, the traditional costume - which is jealously guarded and maintained - consists of a red muslin jacket and trousers with white or yellow stripes. The head is hidden by a mask called sbirrijan, a sort of slender hood that recalls an adept of the Brotherhood of Flagellants. The clothing is enriched with rough leather shoes and wide-link chains, making the drama in progress very spectacular.

The history linked to Easter in San Fratello and the Feast of the Jews

La Feast of the Jews in San Fratello it is probably a religious celebration of popular origin dating back to medieval times when those mysteries that passed from churches to squares in subsequent times were represented. Holy Week is certainly the period full of events that begin with the most dramatic moment of the Passion of Our Lord and end with the explosion of joy of his Resurrection.

When Easter takes place in San Fratello, Feast of the Jews

La Palm Sunday the rite is celebrated"The living Passion" and the procession with the Mystery of the Pieta.
Da Wednesday to Good Friday there is the Feast of the Jews: that is, the dramatization of the Passion of Christ.
Il Holy thursday is held in theatrical form on "Coena dominions".
Il Good Friday the traditional one takes place Procession of the SS. Crucifix and the Mysteries of the Passion which affects the entire center of San Fratello.
Easter Sunday is celebrated onMeeting between the Risen Jesus and the Madonna.

Where Easter takes place in San Fratello

Easter in San Fratello affects the central streets of the town and the historic center.

What to do during Easter in San Fratello Feast of the Jews

The visit to San Fratello includes departure from the Convent Square where the church is located Mother Church of Maria SS. Assumed inside which there is a beautiful wooden crucifix made by Brother Umile da Petralia in Flemish style.
In the same square there is also the sixteenth century Franciscan convent with the characteristic cloister enriched by red marble columns. At the Convent there is a library where over three thousand volumes as well as precious codes are collected.
Not to be missed in the highest part of San Fratello, the ruins of the ancient Mother Church of Norman origin at the time dedicated to San Nicolò destroyed by a landslide.
In the surrounding area you cannot miss the opportunity to make a beautiful excursions which has as its goal the Nebrodi Park, a territory that expands to the Tyrrhenian coast, which keeps its natural integrity intact.

How to get to San Fratello

By car:: from Catania, take the Adrano-Bronte highway, up to Cesarò then take the SS 289; from Messina, A20 motorway, exit at the S.Agata M.llo junction, continue SS 113 towards Palermo and continue on SS 289; from Palermo, A20 motorway, S.Agata M.llo exit, continue on the SS 113 towards Palermo and continue on the SS 289.