Malta’s unique “running” Easter processions celebrate the Resurrection with five centuries of faith, joy, and tradition.
Newsroom (06/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) Every Easter morning, the islands of Malta and Gozo awaken not only to the sound of church bells but to the rhythmic sprint of faith itself. In nearly a dozen parishes, statues of the Risen Christ surge forward through narrow streets carried by men racing in jubilation—a spectacle that represents one of Malta’s most dynamic and enduring religious customs.
A centuries-old celebration of Resurrection
The “running” processions, locally known as Irxoxt, short for Kristu l-Irxoxt (Christ Resurrected), trace their origins back to the 16th century, the era of the Knights of St. John. The earliest known Easter procession was organized by the Franciscans of the Putirjal Monastery in Valletta. Although that particular parade no longer exists, the custom spread quickly through the Cottonera region and beyond. By the 18th century, towns such as Qormi and Naxxar had instituted their own rituals, each with distinctive figures of the Risen Christ.
While many Catholic communities of Hispanic tradition end their processions on Good Friday, Malta joyfully continues the celebration through Easter Sunday. It’s an emphatic declaration that the solemnity of Christ’s Passion transforms into the exuberance of his victory over death.
A joyous race through history
The celebration is both spiritual and physical—a symbolic race toward Resurrection. As the orchestra strikes up triumphant music and fireworks burst overhead, confetti rains down from balconies while voices cry “Irxoxt!” through winding village lanes. Carriers bless Easter gifts along the way—painted eggs and figolli, the almond-filled Maltese sweets that symbolize rebirth and hope.
This vibrant display has not always enjoyed ecclesiastical support. Before World War II, Church authorities attempted suppression, deeming the running disrespectful to religious solemnity. Yet, after the war, the Maltese Curia quietly allowed processions to resume, preserving a beloved expression of popular faith that remains central to the islands’ identity.
“We run because we feel the joy of the Resurrection”
In Bormla, perhaps the most emblematic of these towns, the procession’s figure of Christ—more than two centuries old—still leads the charge. Father Antony Cassar of the Immaculate Conception parish explains, “We want to show and express the mystery and moment of the Resurrection, as well as the great joy that Christ brings us.”
Locals describe that joy as contagious. “For me, it’s a great celebration and our national tradition,” says Jor, a resident of Bormla. “Jesus Christ rose again for us. He gives us health, courage, strength, and power. We feel it, that’s why we run. Anyone can pick up the figure of Jesus and run with it.”
Diversity of sacred art and expanding traditions
Each Maltese town brings its own interpretation of the Resurrection to life. The figure of Christ may bear a banner symbolizing victory over death or a palm branch denoting peace. Some depictions include Roman soldiers—terrified witnesses to the miracle—while Rabat’s procession presents four figures: Christ, two soldiers, and an angel.
Across Malta, fourteen parishes now hold Easter processions, and on Gozo, another ten join the festivities. This year, the town of Ħal Għaxaq celebrated its first Easter procession, unveiling a newly carved statue of the Risen Christ—a reminder that this living tradition continues to evolve, even after five centuries.
As the sun rises on Easter morning, thousands gather to run, rejoice, and reaffirm a faith that has endured through generations. In Malta, the Resurrection is not just remembered—it is lived at full sprint.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Infocatholica
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