Articles Index

Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday Dates
The dating for the Easter celebrations in the Christian church has long been a matter of some discussion and controversy depending on the dating calendar in use.

Semana Santa in Colombia and Venezuela
n Colombia, the most famous Semana Santa celebrations take place in Popayán and Mompox, where the Spanish colonial forces built six churches and a chapel, all used in the Semana Santa observations. In Venezuela, there are similar processions, the re-enactments of the Last Days and the triumphant joy of Domingo de Resurrección.

Semana Santa in Ayacucho, Cuzco, Huaraz and Tarma, Peru
Perhaps the most famous Semana Santa celebrations occur in Ayacucho, Peru, where the entire town participates in the Holy Week event.

Semana Santa in Ouro Preto, Brazil
The Easter Week celebrations in the magnificent colonial city of Ouro Preto, in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais, feature some of the country's most spectacular Holy Week processions.

Cuasimodo Celebrations in Chile
Cuasimodo has nothing to do with the Quasimodo of fiction, nor is it the name of a saint or holy person, but is attributed to the Latin used in Catholic ceremonies. Whatever the origin, this is a time-honored festival in Chile the Sunday after Easter.

Semana Santa in South America
Semana Santa, Holy Week, is the most important religious festival in South America. The most famous are the week long in Peru, Cuasimodo in Chile and others in Popyan, Colombia, Cracas, Venezuela and Ouro Preto, Brazil.