one unique brazilian tradition is the procissăo do encontro where women carry an image of the virgin of sorrows (nossa senhora das dores) until they meet the procession of men carrying the image of christ and his cross (nosso senhor dos passos).
although brazil's population is mostly catholic, this day is not a national holiday but left to the individual states and municipalities to determine.
in rio de janeiro holy friday is a holiday, with public offices closed, and many other commercial activities operating at reduced schedule for the holy week.
the period from good friday to easter sunday is generally called holy week, and rio de janeiro is home to a variety of events throughout town to celebrate the period.
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