當(dang)陽關陵(ling)廟會舉(ju)辦時(shi)大(da)量周邊縣市、外省以(yi)及海外信(xin)眾(zhong)屆(jie)時(shi)涌(yong)來,體現這一民俗活動在增進社(she)區民眾(zhong)文化認同(tong)方面具有的積極作用。
2013年(nian)9月27日,由湖北(bei)當(dang)陽市(shi)盛(sheng)鵬達文化旅游城開發置業有限公司主辦(ban)的,中國(guo)·當(dang)陽2013全球華人關(guan)公朝拜大典(dian)暨關(guan)陵廟(miao)會(hui)在當(dang)陽市(shi)關(guan)陵文化廣場舉行。
2018年9月27日,湖北當(dang)(dang)陽關(guan)(guan)陵廟會暨關(guan)(guan)公(gong)(gong)秋(qiu)祭大(da)典在當(dang)(dang)陽市(shi)關(guan)(guan)陵文化(hua)廣(guang)場舉(ju)行。來自(zi)海(hai)內外的關(guan)(guan)公(gong)(gong)文化(hua)研究專家(jia)學者、關(guan)(guan)氏后裔、關(guan)(guan)公(gong)(gong)信眾(zhong)(zhong)及當(dang)(dang)地民眾(zhong)(zhong)共兩(liang)千余(yu)人參加廟會活動。
主(zhu)要(yao)(yao)活(huo)動有:祭(ji)祀關(guan)(guan)公(gong)(gong)、演關(guan)(guan)戲(xi)“當陽殺(sha)故(gu)事”、民(min)(min)間娛樂活(huo)動、許(xu)愿(yuan)還愿(yuan)、廟(miao)(miao)市等(deng)內容。關(guan)(guan)陵廟(miao)(miao)是(shi)祭(ji)拜關(guan)(guan)公(gong)(gong)的重要(yao)(yao)場所,至民(min)(min)國年間,這里(li)每年要(yao)(yao)舉辦兩次大型廟(miao)(miao)會(hui)祭(ji)拜關(guan)(guan)公(gong)(gong)。一(yi)是(shi)五月十三(san)“單(dan)刀(dao)會(hui)”,傳說這天是(shi)關(guan)(guan)公(gong)(gong)的生日(ri),也是(shi)關(guan)(guan)公(gong)(gong)單(dan)刀(dao)赴會(hui)日(ri);二是(shi)中元(yuan)節廟(miao)(miao)會(hui)。敬香者(zhe)、各種(zhong)民(min)(min)間藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)、小商販云集,熱鬧(nao)非凡。政府官(guan)員、社(she)會(hui)名流要(yao)(yao)到場參加祭(ji)拜儀(yi)(yi)式,儀(yi)(yi)式由四位鄉紳主(zhu)持,一(yi)人(ren)(ren)念(nian)祭(ji)文,一(yi)人(ren)(ren)司儀(yi)(yi),兩人(ren)(ren)負(fu)責通報前(qian)來祭(ji)拜者(zhe)的頭(tou)銜。縣(xian)長(知(zhi)府、知(zhi)縣(xian))、社(she)會(hui)名人(ren)(ren),關(guan)(guan)姓長房代表到關(guan)(guan)公(gong)(gong)像前(qian)敬香鞠躬(gong)。祭(ji)文念(nian)完,要(yao)(yao)燃(ran)放鞭(bian)炮。儀(yi)(yi)式結(jie)束后(hou),廟(miao)(miao)里(li)的和(he)尚要(yao)(yao)念(nian)一(yi)天經文。
當陽關姓家族,是關公鎮守(shou)荊州時的(de)遺(yi)屬。關姓大(da)房長子在(zai)清(qing)代被封為翰林(lin)院博(bo)士,世代相(xiang)襲,每年官府主持的(de)重大(da)祭拜儀式都要(yao)出(chu)面(mian)參加。關家后裔敬(jing)祖活動(dong)也一直沿襲。
當陽別名麥城,是(shi)三國蜀將關羽遇害葬身之地。祭(ji)(ji)奠(dian)關羽,“鄉人墓祭(ji)(ji),歲以(yi)為常”(嘉慶(qing)《荊(jing)門直隸州志(zhi)·當陽冢墓》)。清(qing)雍正《湖(hu)廣通志(zhi)》卷二十五記載:關帝廟,“以(yi)塋墓所在建立祠宇,有(you)司以(yi)時致祭(ji)(ji)”。
當陽(yang)是關(guan)(guan)公葬身之地(di)(di),玉泉山是關(guan)(guan)公最先顯圣(sheng)之地(di)(di),玉泉山有全(quan)國(guo)最早的(de)關(guan)(guan)廟“顯烈祠(ci)”,當陽(yang)城西有全(quan)國(guo)三大關(guan)(guan)廟之一的(de)中國(guo)關(guan)(guan)陵。因(yin)為(wei)與關(guan)(guan)公有特殊的(de)緣分,當陽(yang)民間(jian)對(dui)關(guan)(guan)公的(de)崇(chong)拜千百年來久盛不衰。