The custom dates back at least to the mid-18th century, as attested by the will of Melchiorre Gulizia from 1755, who left a sum of money for the creation of the statue of the Redeemer needed for “lu ’Ncuentru” (the Encounter) on Easter Sunday. This event, therefore, is not a recent invention but a long-established rite deeply embedded in the identity of its inhabitants.
The entire cycle of representations is organized by the Holy Week Association, supported not by professional actors but by the people of Delia themselves, who, with passion and devotion, bring the various characters to life. The association’s economic support comes from a traditional door-to-door collection, contributions from the Municipality, and, significantly, donations from emigrants who maintain a strong emotional bond with their hometown’s celebration.
The rituals begin on Palm Sunday afternoon with the Procession of the Palms, followed in the evening by the Prologue and scenes such as Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem, Offendo il ciel (“I offend Heaven”), and La Spartenza (“The Farewell”).
The performances continue on Wednesday with The First Council, The Capture Plan, and The Meeting of Mary and Magdalene; on Holy Thursday with The Last Supper, The Prayer in the Garden, The Capture, Peter’s Denial, The Second and Third Councils, and Herod.
Good Friday, dedicated to the drama of the Passion, begins in the afternoon with The Flagellation and the evocative Falls of Jesus under the weight of the Cross. On Saturday, the representations conclude with Peter Meets Judas, Peter’s Repentance, Judas’s Despair, and the living tableau of The Resurrection.
The Passion of Christ on Good Friday starts in Piazza Sant’Antonio, where the procession arrives from Piazza Madrice, with Christ - crowned with thorns and bearing the Cross - escorted by soldiers, proceeding along the main street toward Calvary.
During this costumed procession, with horses, chariots, priests, centurions, and soldiers, the Falls are performed live: the actor playing Christ, under the real weight of the Cross, physically collapses onto the ground, recreating the anguish of the Passion.
The march continues to Via Marconi and Piazza Cesare Battisti, where the encounter with Simon of Cyrene takes place — the man who helps Jesus carry the heavy wood.
The final part of the route ascends Via Calvario, culminating in Piazza Croce, where, in an atmosphere of profound emotion, the “Scinnenza” - the Crucifixion and Deposition of Christ from the Cross - is performed.
Later in the evening, after nightfall, the Procession of the Urn begins: a precious wooden casket crafted by local artisans containing the statue of the Dead Christ, carried back to the Mother Church.
This nocturnal procession, accompanied by the Sorrowful Virgin and St. John, moves through the town center to the mournful sound of funeral marches and the polyphonic chants of the lamentatori (lamenters).
Traditionally, the procession was marked by the slow and solemn “step of the urn” - two steps forward and one backward - extending the ritual until late at night.
Since the urn is kept in the Mother Church, on the morning of Good Friday a separate procession transfers it to the Church of the Cross in preparation for the Scinnenza.
Throughout the night, the lamenters’ voices rhythmically accompany the journey, narrating through their chants the Passion, death of Christ, and Mary’s desperate search for her Son after His capture.
The moment of joyful exultation of faith arrives with “lu ’Ncuentru”, the Encounter on Easter Sunday morning in Piazza Matrice.
The Virgin Mary, carried by her committee of women, departs from Via Capitano Lo Porto, while the Risen Christ, borne by a male committee, comes from Via Cavour. The two statues meet three times joyfully in front of the Mother Church. After kissing His Mother, Christ twice “disappears,” running back up Via Cavour.
In the afternoon, the ceremony is repeated along Via Petilia, parallel to Via Cavour, once lined with the noble palaces of Delia’s bourgeoisie.
This climactic moment of Delia’s Easter is accompanied by the Petiliana town band, which plays the same melody in a hypnotic loop - gradually increasing in volume and speed before the “kiss,” then slowing again as the statues part. The rhythmic sound of medieval drums and the colorful flags of the Associazione Folklore Petiliano wrap the event in a deeply moving atmosphere that reunites the entire community beneath the shadow of that sacred kiss.