Feast in Honor of Maria SS. Odigitria

A Patronal Feast Between Two Rites

The Feast in Honor of Maria SS. Odigitria is the most anticipated religious and identity-defining event of the year in Piana degli Albanesi, the most vibrant center of the Arbëreshë community in Italy, located in the Metropolitan City of Palermo. Here, the descendants of Albanian exiles who arrived in Sicily between the 15th and 17th centuries have preserved for centuries the Byzantine-Greek rite, the Albanian language, and a heritage of traditions that resurfaces powerfully during these festive days.

Who is the Madonna Odigitria

The name "Odigitria" comes from Greek and means "She who shows the way": according to tradition, the first icon was painted by Saint Luke, who portrayed the Virgin in the act of pointing to the Child as the path of salvation for humanity. In Piana degli Albanesi, the cult of the Madonna Odigitria, the town's patron saint, blends the austerity of Eastern iconography with the warmth of Sicilian popular devotion.

Five Days of Celebrations

The festivities traditionally take place from August 29th to September 2nd and alternate between the sacred and the cultural-entertainment dimensions. The days are marked by liturgical moments such as the Paraklisis, the ancient prayer of supplication to the Mother of God, parish choirs, and chants in the Albanian language, while the evenings come alive with children's entertainment, concerts, brass bands, and events in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.

• Byzantine-Greek rite liturgies in the Cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire
• "Ancient and powerful" sacred chants in the Albanian language
• Brass band parades through the historic center streets
• Musical evenings and shows in the square
• Solemn procession of the Madonna Odigitria statue

The Procession, Heart of the Feast

The highlight is the procession on September 2nd: after the solemn Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Eparch of Piana degli Albanesi, the statue of the Madonna Odigitria is carried through the town streets in the evening, accompanied by confraternities, the band, and the faithful in traditional Arbëreshë costumes. It is the moment when faith, memory, and belonging merge into a single collective celebration.

A Journey into Arbëreshë Sicily

Attending the festivities means discovering an unexpected Sicily, where East and West, Orthodoxy and Catholicism coexist. During these days, Piana degli Albanesi, in the province of Palermo, offers not just a religious event but an authentic immersion into Arbëreshë culture, including the language, costumes, and gastronomic traditions that have made the town famous, from its renowned cannoli to local culinary specialties.