Pilgrims Call The Sea Procession The Minister Of Finance As Santa Larantuka Sacred

The ship carrying pilgrims in the Sea Procession as Santa Larantuka, East Flores, NTT, Friday (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Pilgrims of Semana Santa said that the Sea Procession of the Minister of Finance, which delivered a coffin containing a statue of Jesus being crossed from the chapel to Kuce Beach, Larantuka, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, was sacred. This is a series of traditions for Easter celebrations in the area.

"This is my first time following a procession and very sacred prayer procedures and dressing during a pilgrimage," said Bernardinus Deni (63), a pilgrim from West Kalimantan in Larantuka, Friday, quoted by Antara.

He also called it lively and magnificent for the people to undergo the procession.

He hopes that the tradition will continue to be carried out well by the heirs.

Johnny and Maria, two pilgrims from Maumere who took part in the procession, also did not expect many ships to accommodate pilgrims.

They both feel grateful to be able to take part in the procession.

"We sincerely pray and try to interpret the values and examples of Jesus in this procession," said Maria.

Hundreds of ships contain pilgrims who take part in the Tuan Meninu Sea Procession in the Santa Larantuka Semanese Tradition.

The boats and small canoes contained pilgrims accompanying the Minister of Finance from the chapel to Kuce-Pohon Sirih Beach.

It appears that pilgrims are wearing all black clothes following Mr. Meninu's ship while praying and singing.

The Sea Procession of the Minister of Finance is a procession carrying a coffin containing a statue of Jesus being crossed. The statue was carried in an engineless boat called Berok with a length of eight meters and a width of 80 cm.

The Santa Larantuka Semanese tradition has been going on since Tuesday (4/4) with various series of devosi.

This religious activity was attended by more than 7,000 pilgrims from various regions.

Santa is a Portuguese tradition that has been through for 500 years. This year the tradition was re-implemented after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.