Holy Week is the pinnacle of the liturgical activity during which Christians relive the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Throughout this week, there are many manifestations of popular religiosity, such as the processions of Good Friday. Peru is not exempt from this. Many traditions brought by the Spaniards continue with the Peruvians to this day.
The most prominent place associated with Holy Week is the city of Ayacucho, located in the Andes, at an altitude of around 2,500 meters. Here, Holy Week is celebrated grandly. The tradition began at a time when the Spaniards ruled Peru. Then it blended with Andean customs. In 2022, this special week in Ayacucho was declared a national cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture.
The Holy Week program begins with the procession of the Crucified on Good Friday, the week before Easter. It continues with the Palm Sunday procession, during which people make small crosses from palm leaves.
On Wednesday, the procession of the Nazarene departs from the Church of Santa Clara. Thursday involves the visit to the altars of repose in the form of a procession. On Good Friday morning, the procession with the images of Jesus linked to the column, the one of Christ nailed to the cross, Jesus dead, and the Madonna of Solitude (representing the same idea as the Sorrows) takes place. On Easter Sunday morning, the procession of the Risen Jesus is held, which leaves from the Cathedral.
It is worth mentioning that Peruvians live their second Easter in October when the Lord of Miracles (Señor de los Milagros), a crucifix image painted on a fragile wall (like fresco), of African descent, which remained standing even after two strong earthquakes that hit the city of Lima. Throughout this month, the color purple dominates. This is part of the country’s cultural identity.
Alejandro Huapaya Infante
SDC Candidate (Peru)
