In San Demetrio Corone, in Calabria, one of the best-known Arbëresh centers in Italy, the community today celebrated Epiphany. The Arbëresh call the feast “Ujët e Pagëzuem.”

The ceremony took place at the Cathedral of Saint Demetrius in Hora e Arbëreshëvet (Piana degli Albanesi).

Bishop Raffaele De Angelis, head of the Eparchy of Hora e Arbëreshëvet, blessed the water. Before the blessing, women from the town paraded in traditional Arbëresh costumes. They carried baskets of oranges in their hands.

The celebration in Vittorio Emanuele Square included more than the procession and the blessing. Organizers also held the ritual release of a white dove.

The Arbëresh community in Italy belongs to the Christian faith. They recognize the Pope in Rome as the head of their church. They follow the Byzantine rite. During major feasts, they conduct the liturgy in Albanian or Greek.

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