The bells of Bétera rang out again yesterday to announce the start of the celebrations in honor of the Most Holy Christ of Protection. A day marked by tradition, music and devotion that brought together residents in different parts of the municipality.
The events began at 7:00 p.m. in the Calvari gardens, at the foot of the Ermita , where a mass was celebrated in honor of the Christ of Protection. The religious ceremony gave way to one of the most traditional moments of the evening: the singing of albaes dedicated to the image.
Afterwards, Christ left the Hermitage to begin his journey towards the church of the Forsaken, accompanied by numerous participants.
The dawns accompanied the exit of the Christ of the Hermitage
Once the Eucharist was over, the voices of the singers rose at the feet of the Hermitage to dedicate the first dawns to the Most Holy Christ of the Protection of Bétera .
The traditional song served as a prelude to the exit of the image and the beginning of the pilgrimage. From that moment, the celebration moved to the streets of Bétera , which became the stage for the route to the parish of the Desamparats.
Traditional music and religious celebration thus came together again in a festival that retains a strong popular component and is part of the municipality's calendar of traditions.
The Group of Bearers carried the Christ on their shoulders
The Colla de Portadors del Crist once again took on one of the main roles of the day. Its members were in charge of carrying the image on their shoulders during the pilgrimage, accompanied by the participants who followed the route.
The procession's passage through the streets left different impressions of fervor and devotion, in an afternoon that served to reunite with one of the religious celebrations most linked to the Betera tradition.
The involvement of the bearers, together with the collaboration of the parishes, is essential to maintain and give continuity to these events.
Rockets and applause upon arrival at the Desamparats
Another highlight occurred when the procession arrived at the Church of the Forsaken. There, members of the Colla de Portadors lit rockets to announce and celebrate the arrival of Christ.
The image finally entered the temple amidst applause from those present. Once inside the church, the bells rang again in honor of the Most Holy Christ of Protection, putting an end to the first day.
The transfer from the Hermitage to the Desamparats has thus opened this year's celebrations, which will continue with the rest of the events planned over the next few days.
Bétera experienced a first day full of tradition and emotion , with bells, dawns, rockets and the pilgrimage as the protagonists of a day in which the Most Holy Christ of Protection once again walked the streets of the municipality on the shoulders of its bearers.
