Solemn Procession

While the sun is still high and its dry heat floods everything, the Solemn Procession begins in which the twenty-four groups, led by the Moorish faction, will accompany the Image of the Most Holy Christ of the Agony through the streets of the city until returning it, once again, to the church of San Carlos.

As their name suggests, the groups wear their gala attire, as they did this morning. The music bands play processional marches - also written specifically for the religious events of the Moors and Christians festival.

Here we also find a unique feature compared to other towns; normally in processions people march in a row on each side along the route; here in Ontinyent this is also done in all the processions that take place throughout the year; in all, except those that take place on the Saturday and Sunday of festivities; in these two processions they form a squad - logically without a leader - and follow the pace marked by the marching band.

The people have put down their chairs and fill the pavements; there is no room for a soul in the side streets; nobody wants to miss the passage of the Morenet - a loving nickname that the people use when referring to the Image of Christ in his Agony -; a multitude of restless fans are seen everywhere; seriousness and contemplation; as the bearers pass with their sacred load, people stand up; their gaze fixed on the inert face of the Saviour; a subtle movement of lips suggests a prayer; I see the fervour on the faces of the people; their gazes speak of faith; a tear runs down my face; two dry blows of the river stone against the wood of the float and again the bearers take up their load, directing their steps towards the church of San Carlos.