We will review Holy Week in Verges day by day, exploring how this unique Easter tradition is experienced in the historic Catalan town.
Holy Week is the principal festival of the Christian church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. The oldest recorded observance of an Easter celebration dates back to the 2nd century, although the commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection likely occurred earlier.
The decision on when to observe and celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection sparked a major controversy in early Christianity, dividing opinions between Eastern and Western traditions. This dispute, known as the Paschal Controversies, was not definitively resolved until the 8th century.
In Asia Minor, Christians observed the day of the Crucifixion on the same day the Jews celebrated the Passover offering—the day of the first full moon of spring. The Resurrection was then observed two days later, regardless of the day of the week.
In the West, the Resurrection was celebrated on the first day of the week, Sunday, when Jesus rose from the dead. Consequently, Easter was always celebrated on the first Sunday after the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Over time, most churches adopted the Sunday celebration.
The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD decreed that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21st). Therefore, Easter can fall on any Sunday between March 22nd and April 25th.
Holy Week in Verges: A Daily Schedule
- Palm Sunday
- Holy Monday
- Holy Tuesday
- Holy Wednesday
- Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
