The tradition of stealing Saint Roch in Serra
In the town of Serra (València, Valencian Country) they have an interesting way of celebrating Saint Roch's Day (16th of August).
The tradition starts in some moment of August 15th, when people organize in secret to find a moment of distraction to steal the statue of Saint Roch from the town's church and take it hidden to the chapel at the top of the hill behind the town.
Back in the day, this robbery used to be done during the procession dedicated to the Virgin of August, when everyone was distracted there offering basil (like in nearby towns). Nowadays, that procession isn't done anymore, but the stealing tradition is so loved that there are two statues: the normal one for adults, and a little version for kids.
The stolen statues in the chapel.
Once they've sneakily taken the statues to the chapel, the organizers prepare a string of loud firecrackers that go from the chapel down the path to the town. At midnight, they light them to signal that the act is about to start.
At that point, they begin to return Saint Roch to the church, parading down the hill. Other organizers stand throughout the path, and light their firecrackers when Saint Roch crosses in front of them.
The procession downhill.
When the procession reaches the town, the crowd gathers to welcome it and all kinds of firecrackers are thrown. The groups take the statues to the house of one of the organizers, who will keep it until next morning. The tradition ends when the statues (and the crowd that goes with it) reach this house, and the family of the house offer a drink or a snack to the people who are present.
On the 16th (Saint Roch's Day), there are parades, more firecrackers, music concerts, and food contests, among others.
Photos and information from festa.org and Comunitat Valenciana.
