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ORIGINS AND MEANINGS
Pathos and theatrics clearly show a strong Spanish influence. However, the tradition of the festival may date from the Medieval period, as the polyphonic hymns testify.
Clergy does not attend the procession, but only members of the Confraternity. This custom is said to originate from the fact that, traditionally, the Confraternity and the clergy had different roles and duties as far as the festival was concerned. The celebration is organized by the Confraternity, while the liturgy is the exclusive realm of the Clergy