The Fanoja is a medium-sized bonfire. Lit from the bottom, built up by the Arciconfraternita dei Sette Dolori. The wood used comes from the woodlands, and is piled up into a cone shape.
The procession of the Arciconfraternita dei Sette Dolori (Archconfraternity of the Seven Sorrows) sets out at dawn on Good Friday, carrying the statue of the Virgin of Sorrows and intoning the Stabat Mater chant. “This early morning procession that takes place on Good Friday in San Marco in Lamis is an extremely moving function, in both human and religious terms, with virtually the whole town taking part in some capacity”. It involves the Arciconfraternita dei Sette Dolori visiting the Holy Sepulchres (at the Altare della Reposizione, or Altar of Repose). This procession used to be the continuation of the one that took place on the evening of Holy Thursday, with the torches of wood, or fracchie, accompanying the Virgin of Sorrows on her journey there; the statue of the Virgin was then left overnight in the mother church before continuing the visit again at sunrise, when the light of the torches was no longer required. On the afternoon of Good Friday sees the procession of the Confraternita del Carmine (Confraternity of Carmine) with Our Lady of Sorrows and the Dead Christ. On the evening of Good Friday there is the procession of the Arciconfraternita dei Sette Dolori accompanied by hundreds of fracchie lighting the way. The members of the archconfraternity are dressed in their mourning robes.
On the evening of Good Friday there is the procession of the Arciconfraternita dei Sette Dolori accompanied by hundreds of fracchie lighting the way. The members of the archconfraternity are dressed in their mourning robes. Until 1954, this procession took place on the evening of Holy Thursday.
Holy Saturday sees the Sacred Representation, performed through the streets of the town by the actors and narrators of the Sacred Representation Committee.
On the morning of Easter Sunday, the Arciconfraternita dei Sette Dolori takes Our Lady of Sorrows out in procession, dressed in richly embroidered festive garb and wearing a crown. This is a joyous occasion for the local children, with some of them dressed as Our Lady of Sorrows and others in their best new clothes, while the women walk behind their flags and the brothers of the confraternity wear their festive robes. The band plays joyful music, while the crowds look on and pray. The procession comes to a close to the sight and sound of firecrackers.
