Epiphany Celebrations in Friuli

As celebrations take place across the region of Friuli, located in north east Italy, to mark Epiphany, the small towns and communities across the region celebrate the occasion in their own unique way.

In the ancient town of Cividale there is a historical pageant called ‘Messa dello Spadone’ (or Mass of the Sword) complete with medieval costume, processions, music and merriment. The main event is a special mass which honours Marquardo von Randeck, who having been bestowed civil power, military and political rights by the Emperor, became fundamental in drafting the constitution of Friuli before the fall of the Venetian Republic.

The mass is performed in the Cathedral and begins with a procession of clergy. First comes an altar boy holding a cross, then two carrying candlesticks followed by the higher ranking members of the church. The Deacon wears his usual vestments along with a feathered helmet. In his left hand he carries an ancient book of gospels and in his right, he carries a sword. The gospels and the sword symbolise the liturgical and the political elements of the church.
The sword, from which the ceremony takes its name, is said to be the original used by the Patriarch Marquardo as he entered Cividale and his name is engraved into the sword’s hilt. The sword is raised during the service as the liturgy is chanted in Latin along with chants from ancient Aquileia. The copy of the gospels is used exclusively for this occasion and dates back to the 15th century. It is covered by a 13th century silver foil cover.

At the end of the Mass, the Patriach’s arrival in Cividale is re-enacted with a procession of 250 nobles, ladies, squires, knights, falconers and pages in costume accompanied by drums beating and the sounding of trumpets. In the evening the festivities culminate in a Medieval concert held in San Francesco Church with period instruments.

In Gemona del Friuli a different celebration of Epiphany takes place in the form of the Mass of Tallero. This ancient rite dates back to the Middle Ages when the local people, who were often subject to raids by Alpine invaders, organised their defence strategies. The investiture ceremony involved an act of submission including the donation of a ‘tallero’ (or ancient coin) as an offering to the spirits.
The ceremony is accompanied by a procession in period costume that is led by the Mayor of the town. The procession crosses from the medieval Via Bini to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The Mayor then symbolically offers the coin accompanied by a platoon of guards and the sounds of drums.