Festivities

In the Azores archipelago there are manifestations of faith and religious devotion closely related to the occurrence of catastrophic natural phenomena, especially the volcanic and seismic events that often affect these islands.

The Holy Spirit Festivities

		The Holy Spirit Festivities in the Azores dates back to early settlement and constitute a genuine demonstration of popular culture of the Azorean people, where the profane is often mixed with the sacred and the mundane pleasures of the good gastronomy cohabitates with promises made to the Divine.

“Império dos Nobres� (“The Nobles Empire�)

The “Império dos Nobres�, on Faial island evokes the 1672 eruption of the Cabeço do Fogo volcano, associated to the perpetual vow that orders to celebrate a solemn ceremony on the day of Pentecost.

“Procissão dos Abalos� (“Earthquakes Procession�)

The “Procissão dos Abalos�, on Terceira island, is held every year on May 31st, in evocation of the intense seismic activity that occurred on the night of June 1st to June 2nd, 1867, premonitory of the submarine eruption offshore “Ponta do Raminho�, the place overlooking the sea where is celebrated an outdoor Mass and Sermon

Source: http://www.santo-cristo.com/

“Romeiros da Ilha de São Miguel� (“São Miguel island Pilgrims�)

		The “Romeiros da Ilha de São Miguel� are a group of men who travel on foot across the whole São Miguel island by the time of Lenten, in prayer and penance, a tradition dating back to the 16th century when the island was shaken by a violent earthquake that decimate the population and caused severe damages.