Before we left the US, I searched for English speaking churches in each of the places we are visiting & here in Firenze one of them happens to be right around the corner from our apartment, less than a 2 minute walk! On Good Friday (Venerdi Santo)we experienced an evening service of music and scripture that led us through the Stations of the Cross. The worship time of God's Word read with very little rhetoric and the somber melodies by Franz Linszt was beautiful and moving. There was a Saturday (Sabato Santo) candlelight service to end Lent that was a beautiful preparation for Sunday as well.
Then... Pasqua (Easter morning) and the Scoppio del Carro!-a grand spectacle & for us an exciting way to celebrate the Ressurrection of Christ-
The Florentines celebrate on this date with a tradition that dates back 350 years. A 3-story "cart" loaded with explosives is pulled by decorated white oxen and led by a procession of drummers and flag bearers all dressed in historical clothing into the Piazza del Duomo right between the Bapistry and the Duomo itself. Then as the congregation inside concludes the "Alleluias", a white rocket "dove" which represents the Holy Spirit, "flies" into the cart and sets off a 15 minute explosion of pyrotechnics which is the "holy fire" to symbolize new life. (*There are other interpretations that relate to good harvest or good luck, but this is the one I adopted*)
We spent the rest of Easter day enjoying the wonderful sunshine, the views from a hilltop piazzale and walking a LONG route back to our apartment that took us by a park (an opportunity for more soccer play) and the ancient city gate of Florence.
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| Decorated white oxen |
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| The white dove "rocket" (photo taken by Nash atop Matt's shoulders) |
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| Explosion of the cart (another great shot by Nash) |
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| At Piazzale Michelangelo overlooking the city of Florence- See the Duomo, Campanile, Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio |
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| Basilica San Miniato built in 1048 on one of the highest points in the city |
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| Standing in front of the ancient city gates |
P.S. I almost forgot...the Easter Bunny did make it to Italy-
**And Ross lost a tooth! **
Family, So glad to see Matt in a photo! And Nash is learning to be a great photographer like his dad. Congratulations to Ross on his fun egg designs and on losing his tooth in Italy. Ross, did you receive an Italian Euro? The rocket dove sounds thrilling and I don't remember ever seeing decorated white oxen. Italians seem to know how to celebrate Pasqua properly. Your pictures sans coats lets me know how comfortable your weather is there. Oggi we have a very noisy, heavy rain, which will make my yard flowers stand up a little taller. If I can figure out how to send you pictures, I will. Enjoy your adventures on Sabato and Domenica and all of next settimana!. Love to all of you. GoGo and Poppy
ReplyDeleteThis was just awesome, Kelly!! Love the entire post! How fascinating and cool the celebration you described!! Awesome that the Easter Bunny found you all the way over there, too! Praying for you all, my little Italian traveler!
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