The island of Marinduque prides itself in being the "Lenten Capital of the Philippines", and it is easy to understand why. Come the seven days of Holy Week, the people of the island take part in the age-old ritual of the "Moriones". Colorful warrior costumes are worn, topped with finely carved masks depicting the fierce Roman soldiers of Christ's time. All these are done to depict the story of the conversion of Longuinus, the centurion who pierced Jesus' side - and his subsequent beheading.
Moriones Festival (Wikipedia)
The Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks. The Moriones or Moryonan tradition has inspired the creation of other festivals in the Philippines where cultural practices or folk history is turned into street festivals
Moriones Festival, Marinduque, Philippines One of the most colorful festivals celebrated in the island of Marinduque is the Moriones Festival. Morion means "mask" or "visor," a part of the medieval Roman armor which covers the face. Moriones, on the other hand, refers to the masked and costumed penitents who march around the town for seven days searching for Longinus. This week-long celebration starts on Holy Monday and culminates on Easter Sunday when the story of Longinus is reenacted in pantomime. This is a folk-religious festival that re-enacts the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye.
Moriones Festival Moriones Festival is a very popular festival in the Philippines. The festival is the most unique festival in the world. The Moriones festival is celebrated in Marinduque every Holy Week. The festival depicts the martyrdom of St. Longinus. It was believed that St. Longinus, a Roman soldier who pierced Jesus Christ's side on the crucifixion.
Moriones Festival Marinduque
Marinduque Crowds of town people dress up as a Roman legionaries and figures from the Bibles. The festival takes place in Marinduque during Holy Week and culminates in the re-enactment of the beheading of Longinus. Entire towns are converted into huge stages as the story of Longinus unfolds.
Participants wear colorful costumes (similar to those worn by Roman Legionaires) and masks made from paper mache and painted in lively colors. Other even dress up in the image of various other figures from the Bible.
Play Video.Moriones Festival, Marinduque | WOW Paradise Philippines
The Lenten season touches the hearts of many, so does the story of the Moriones festival. Its origin emerged from the story of Christ’s crucifixion. A Roman soldier, Longinus, who was blind in one eye, pierced the side of Jesus on the cross. The blood that spurted out of Christ’s side touched his blind eye and fully restored his sight. Receiving such a wonderful miracle made Longinus convert himself into Christianity.
Moriones Festival (ClickTheCity.com) Every Holy Week, Lenten piety blends with cultural gaiety in the traditional Moriones festival all over the province. Moriones is a Mexican word which means 'mask' or 'visor,' a part of the medieval Roman armor which covers the face. Moriones as we Pinoys know it refers to the masked and costumed penitents who march around the town for seven days searching for Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye. This folk religious festival re-enacts the story of Longinus who was blind in one eye.
SirNicolay's Photography 101: The Moriones Festival 2009 The Moriones Festival is said to be one of the most colorful festivals in the Philippines. I've read about this festival ever since my Philippine history teachers taught us in grade school about the strange tradition of the people from Marinduque to parade all over the province with their self-made creative and uber-iridiscent costumes, depicting the Roman soldiers who persecuted Christ.
Moriones Festival | Wazzup Manila Philippines
The Moriones Festival is a yearly religious festival held in the province of Marinduque. During this festival, men and women wear colorful costumes, including masks, which replicate the clothes worn by Roman legionnaires during biblical times. Several towns in Marinduque serve as a giant stage for the festivities. The celebration starts on Holy Monday and concludes on Easter Sunday.
Moriones Festival, Marinduque, Philippines
The annual Moriones Festival is a week-long religious event that begins on Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday. It is one of the most colourful events in the Philippines and sees participants re-enact the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who, it is said, speared the crucified body of Jesus Christ. Legend has it that the blood which flowed from Christ’s body landed in Longinus’ bad eye, curing him of blindness. This miracle caused him to convert to Christianity and he was consequently hunted by his fellow centurions. This part of the story is dramatically retold by costumed participants, the Romans wearing huge painted masks depicting fearsome faces. The performances take place in various locations throughout the island of Marinduque.
