Festival of Saint Agatha (Catania)

The Festival of Saint Agatha is the most important religious festival of Catania, Sicily. It commemorates the life of what is the city's patron saint, Agatha of Sicily. It takes place annually from 3 to 5 February and on 17 August. The earlier dates commemorate the martyrdom of the Catanaian saint, while the latter date celebrates the return to Catania of her remains, after these had been transferred to Constantinople by the Byzantine general George Maniaces as war booty, having then remained there for 86 years.Feast of Saint Agatha From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Feast of Saint Agatha Agatha to prison Type of local religious festival Period from February 3 to 5, August 17 Held in Catania, Malta, San Marino, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe Religion Catholicism Event celebrated Martyrdom of St. Agatha, return of the remains Religious traditions offer of wax, processions Traditions profane illuminations, waxy, other Cassatella culinary traditions of St. Agatha, toggles, and calia simenza Date of establishment 1200 This box: view • disc. • mod. Flag of UNESCO.svg Well protected by UNESCO Stub heritage of humanity. Png Heritage Feast of Saint Agatha Festival of Saint Agatha Sagata ct.jpg Type Well Ethno-Anthropological Criterion C (i) (ii) (iv) (v) No indication of danger Year 2002 UNESCO Card English French (LA) "Mentem Sanctam, Spontaneam Honorary Deo et Patriae Liberationem» (EN) "Mind holy, honor God and spontaneous liberation of the fatherland" (Inscription engraved on the tablet, close by the left hand of St. Agatha, in the reliquary bust)

The Feast of St. Agatha is the most important religious festival of the city of Catania and is celebrated in honor of the patron saint of the city. It takes place every year 3 to 5 February and 17 August. The first date is that of the martyrdom of the saint of Catania, while the date of August recalls the return of his remains in Catania, after they were stolen and brought to Constantinople by the Byzantine general George Manipur as spoils of war and where they remained for 86 years .

From February 3 to 6 arrive in Catania around one million people, including devotees, pilgrims, tourists and the curious from around the world.

Together with the World Heritage City of the late Baroque of the Val di Noto (South Eastern Sicily) awarded by UNESCO in 2002, the Feast of St. Agatha is as Ethno-Anthropological Well of Catania in the world. Index

[Hide]

   1 Life of St. Agatha
   2 The origins of the festival
   3 The party today
       3.1 The lighting
       3.2 The waxy or cannalore
       3.3 The Vara
       3.4 The chest
       3.5 The reliquary bust of St. Agatha
       3.6 The clothing of the citizens
   4 The religious ceremonies
       4.1 3 February - The procession of wax supply
       4.2 4 February - around the outside of the city
       4.3 February 5 - The inside turn
   The fifth festival August 17
   6 Other events
       6.1 A Syrian tri ô
       6.2 Sport
       6.3 The fair of Saint Agatha
       6.4 Celebration in the sixties
   7 Trivia
   8 suspended Celebrations
   9 The sweets for all ages
   10 Notes
   11 Literature
   12 Photo Gallery
   13 External links

Life of St. Agatha [edit] Main article further article: Sant'Agata. The Martyrdom of St. Agatha of Sebastiano del Piombo. The amputation of the breasts.

The young Agatha lived in the third century. Member of a patrician family from Catania, as a young man devoted his life to Christianity. It was noticed by the Roman governor who decided to Quinziano wanting itself. The refusal of Agatha, the persecuted as a Christian, and persisting the refusal of the girl, made her martyred and put to death the afternoon of 5 February 251. Immediately after death began to be venerated by most of the population even of pagan religion. From here we developed the cult of Agatha also spread outside Sicily and soon the Pope elevated it to the glory of the altars. The origins of the feast [edit] Agatha - Icon graphics Rita Of Nuts, 2009. Private collection Giuseppe Maggiore.

The origins of the veneration of Saint Agatha's martyrdom go back the following year, ie at 252. The people fed him once a great devotion to the virgin Agatha who had voted for martyrdom while defending her honor and not to abjure his faith. The Catania were proud of this young man who rebelled against the will of the Roman proconsul. In this they had to graft the hatred of the foreign oppressor.

As far as the real party is very difficult to tell which was the starting year of celebrations. According to some witnesses even before the birth of Agata was a pagan festival celebrated during which a statue of a virgin was carried in procession through the streets of the city.

Another tradition is reported by Apuleius in The Metamorphosis, according to which the feast of the goddess Isis in the Greek city of Corinth would have many points of contact with the feast of Catania. In particular, the people dressed in a white robe who participated in the celebrations to Saccu is approached, the white cotton tunic worn in procession by the devotees, who pull the strings of fercolo for trainarlo along the way.

Surely the first celebration in St. Agatha, although unplanned, occurred spontaneously August 17, 1126 when the remains of Santa Catania, stolen in 1040, were brought home by two soldiers, and Gilberto Goselino, the city of Constantinople. The bishop of Catania, Maurizio, who went to the Castle of Jaci to accommodate them. Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, The Martyrdom of Saint Agatha

Sparsasi voice during the night, the citizens took to the streets to thank God for having me back, after 86 years, the remains of their beloved martyr Agatha.

The festivities were mostly liturgical in nature and took place inside the cathedral. This is demonstrated in an indirect manner from what happened Feb. 4, 1169, when an earthquake razed the city of Catania buried under the rubble of the people who was faithful in the cathedral, in prayer, for the celebration of martyrdom of St. Agatha. On that occasion, according to some chronicles, died more than 80 monks and thousands of faithful in the vaults of the temple collapsed.

Only in 1376, year of construction of the vara [1] (fercolo), wood, is presumed to have started the festivities with a procession through the streets of the city. From 1209 to 1375 were done with the veil of the holy processions. The current fercolo, all in silver on a wood frame, was rebuilt in 1946 after it during an intense bombardment by the British air force, which occurred April 17, 1943, had been seriously damaged the old one, opened in 1519 .

At the party was joined by a purely religious party most popular, ordered by the Senate of the city and also by the population. At this point, to avoid problems of public order, was made a regulation to which they had to abide by the organizers of the festivities. Therefore, in combination with the procession of the vara for the city streets, became part of a different nature shows to entertain the faithful who came from every part of Sicily.

Until 1692, the festival takes place in a single day on February 4. Since 1712 the festival took on a greater importance being structured on two days of festivities, on February 4 and 5, and perhaps also the fact that after the 1693 earthquake, which flattened the city, Catania was rebuilt by implementing an orthogonal which made the road easier with wider streets and tidy, but above the city had expanded and the tour of the city districts could not be done in one day. Probably the party suffered breaks in the two years following the dramatic events that destroyed the city:

   In 1669, following a catastrophic eruption of Etna lava that covered much of the city by blocking over 50% of city streets;
   In 1693, as already said, an earthquake of great magnitude that shocked the Val di Noto completely destroying the city.

The party today [edit]

These days the festival lasts 3-5 February. Often the festival ends on 6 morning after the traditional "Ascent of Via Di San Giuliano" that the faithful, driving the fercolo, traverse pitch, the race was banned after serious accidents because of the snow strdale secular. The lighting [edit] The Ascent of San Giuliano lit

In all the main streets of the historic center of Catania are prepared to give artistic lighting of a particular party in light of the whole city. Every year the ornaments are varied but the effect is always very engaging and charming.

The culmination of these lamps is at the top of Via Di San Giuliano, where it made a huge panel, as wide as the whole street, which, like a mosaic of colored lights, depicts a scene from the life of St. Agatha. It, for its size, is visible from afar and is a large fresco in the background of the starry sky. The theme of this background changes each year and is like a serial story of the epic of sant'Ajtuzza, endearment with which to locals is called the virgin and martyr Agatha. The waxy or cannalore [edit] Five of the 12 cannalore in the cathedral of Catania

Very ancient is the tradition of waxy or cannalori [2] In the beginning, perhaps as early as the fifteenth century were almost of floats from each Carnival changed their style and were more than thirty years. Today there are twelve, representing the corporations of arts and crafts of the city. These are large buildings with richly carved and gilded wooden surface, constructed, generally, in the style of Sicilian Baroque, and containing a large candle for the center. These impressive tapers from the weight that oscillates between 400 and 900 pounds, are brought to the shoulder, depending on weight, from a group consisting of 4 to 12 men, that is advanced with a very characteristic gait caracollante said 'a' nnacata .

The cannalore, in addition to precede the procession of St. Agatha on days 4 and 5 February, already 10 days before starting to drive around the city taking in the shops of the members of the corporation to which they belong, escorted by a band playing cheerful marches. The twelve candles have an easily coded in order to keep during the procession in which participants: The Candlemas in Etnea on day 3 before the procession to the offer of the wax Agatha

   Bishop of Ventimiglia or waxy Sant'Aita. It is the smallest and was donated in 1766 by Monsignor Salvatore Ventimiglia, then archbishop of Catania.
   Waxy rinoti [3] This is the first of the great cannalore in procession, being the oldest, and is built in baroque style.
   Waxy giardinera (ortofloricoltori) built in Gothic style, surmounted by a crown and that is why it is nicknamed the Queen of cannalore.
   Waxy pisciari (fishmongers), in rococo style, also called "a bersagliere", is characterized by a floral wreath, hanging from the high reliefs of the second order, which gives a feeling of movement during the evolution dell'annacata [4].
   Waxy fruttaiola (greengrocers), said 'a young lady (Miss) for its simple beauty. A distinction is to be accomplished on a base constituted by four swans.
   Waxy chiancheri (butchers), rests on a base formed by four lions, and has, at the top, a statue of St. Sebastian patron saint of the guild.
   Waxy pastari (producers of pulp), is the only one who still has the central candelone wax, other candelore have a waxy plastic, (the last Candlemas who made the change was that of the fruit sellers, the old wax is visible in the chapel of the right side of the basilica cathedral of Catania, near the chapel of St. Agatha, from the early eighteenth century and is built in baroque style.
   Waxy grocers (sellers of pieces of cheese), is built in Art Nouveau or Art Nouveau and is built on a base formed by four caryatids.
   Waxy putiari (barmen), is made in the Empire style and is built on a base represented by four lions and four eagles. pesandte is the second largest after that of the bakers and is carried by 10 people.
   Waxy Pannitteri (bakers) is the biggest and heaviest of all and is carried by over 12 carriers or vastasi [5]. The first was built in the eighteenth century and is built on a base formed by four statues of Atlas.
   Circle of waxy Agatha [6], is the least senior of eleven and is made in the neoclassical style. In it are depicted, as well as St Agatha, Catania Sant'Euplio another martyr, is the lighter of the large candles.
   Village of waxy Sant'Agata is the newest of large candles, wanted by Mr. Salvatore Russo and inaugurated in 2010, has received approval from the Committee of the festivities to attend three days of processions in 2012 and 3 February 2012 he made his first outing at the offer of the wax.

The Vara [edit]

The fercolo of St. Agatha or developed (in Catania), first in 1379 was highly prized in gilded wood, is a shrine of silver covering a wooden frame, richly worked, carrying the reliquary bust of St. Catania and the chest , silver, within which are housed all the relics of St. Agatha. Built in 1518, in true Renaissance style, is decorated and finely chiseled, roof covering, with twelve statues of the apostles. It has a rectangular shape and is covered by a dome, also rectangular, resting on six Corinthian columns. It was built by the goldsmith Vincenzo Catania Archifel operating at 1486 to 1533. The fercolo, largely rebuilt after the bombing of the war, is of solid silver. It moves on four wheels (steel cylindrical rollers with solid rubber tread) and is driven by two cords, the head of which are connected four handles, each about 130 meters long, by the citizens [7] in the characteristic Saccu. Each bead has in mind a system of four strings with handle that allows you to keep a constant and regular tension on the cord itself.

Of launches from the floreale you can tell whether it is the procession of the day or the fourth day of February 5th. In fact, the flowers that decorate the fercolo always carnations are pink [8] in the procession on February 4 and White [9] on the inside turn of the day of martyrdom is celebrated on February 5. The casket [edit] The reliquary shrine of St. Agatha

The casket containing the relics of St. Agatha is a silver case in the Gothic style, built around the late fifteenth century by the artist Angelo Catania Novara. The lid also made of silver was produced by the same artist who built the bier. It is richly decorated with images of the life of St. Agatha, and contains his remains enclosed in reliquaries different. They are made up of two arms with hands, the two legs with feet, from two femurs and breast in addition to the holy veil. The reliquaries containing them are all different bill because they are built in different eras. The reliquary bust of St. Agatha [edit] The reliquary bust of St. Agatha placed on the Vara.

The bust of the saint, all in silver, was built in 1376 and also contains the relics of St. Agatha. In fact in the head, covered with a crown given by the English King Richard the Lionheart of passage in Catania return from a Crusade, was placed the skull of the saint of Catania, while the bust is inserted chest. The bust was made by Giovanni di Bartolo, on behalf of the bishop of Catania, Martial listened to a desire of Pope Gregory XI, and is covered by more than 300 jewels and votive offerings. In addition to the aforementioned crown, you can mention some of the most important jewels donated to the saint: two large silver-gilt angels that are placed on either side of the bust of St. Agatha, a necklace of emeralds set of the fifteenth century, donated by the people of Catania although many attribute this gift to the Viceroy Ferdinand De Acuna, a large cross richly carved sixteenth century, the collar of the Legion of Honor belonged to the French composer Vincenzo Bellini, pectoral crosses belonged to the bishops of Catania, Dusmet, Francica Nava, Ventimiglia ; a ring that belonged to Queen Margaret, who gave it in 1881 during a visit to Catania. The citatini in white coats The clothing of the citizens [edit]

Devotees pulling the fercolo, wearing a white cotton robe that Saccu, a hat of black velvet scuzzetta said, a white cord around the monastic life, white gloves and a handkerchief, also white, which is stirred to cry All Devotees all citizens living Sant'Aita [10].

The origin and meaning of this white habit is much debated. Some trace it to the fact that in 1126 the return of the remains of the saint in Catania, where the news spread during the night, the people poured into the streets in her nightgown. But this version clashes with the story since the invention of the nightgown is be after that time. Others argue that it refers to the worship of Ceres, which has been said before.

Probably none of these assumptions is true and we need to account for the testimony of journalists of the time. In the sixteenth century, the bier was carried by the naked [11]. In the seventeenth century, Pietro Carrera wrote that according to him had happened the night of 17 August 1126: "Imperoché all'hora largely de 'citizens (mean of males) went naked to receive the holy body [...], to which each moves the example of Maurice Bishop, who went barefoot and it was done sorrow and repentance for voluntary intake of pure love and devotion of the Holy "

(Pietro Carrera)

But the same Carrera tells us that in his time the bearers wore a gown of white cloth that reached to his knees and had bare legs and bare feet. Apparently this custom has evolved over the centuries up to today's clothing. The religious ceremonies [edit] February 3 - The procession of wax supply [edit] The church of St. Agatha the furnace from which the procession for the supply of wax by Agatha

On 3 February we have the beginning of the celebrations with a religious procession to St. Agatha supply of wax, once known as the procession of illuminations [12]. The procession, which brings together the clergy, city officials led by the mayor and city council, the ancient and knightly military orders, from the Church of Sant 'Agata to the Furnace in Stesichorus Square, told caccaredda [13], or in which the furnace was martyred St. Agatha, to reach through the Etnea and Piazza Duomo, the Cathedral of St. Agatha.

The procession begins with the parade procession of eleven cannalore, this time not followed by the banda. Following the Metropolitan Archbishop, the chapters of cathedral and collegiate churches, the mayor with the city council, civil and military authorities over the clergy of the archdiocese. The mayor went to the church of San Biagio on a carriage eighteenth century Catania of the Senate along with some members of the junta authorities while others take place in a second smaller Carriage. For several years the two coaches are on permanent display in the lobby of the Palace of the Elephants, the seat of the municipality of Catania. February 4 - The outside of cities around [edit] The silver fercolo of St. Agatha the morning of February 4 begins around the outside of the city

The festivities begin with 4 days of commissioning of the dawn [14]. It is the first religious service in honor of the saint. With the church invaded by the faithful in white coats, we see the first output of the image of the casket and the vault in which are preserved. The scene is very touching and evocative with citizens waving a white handkerchief explode nell'urlo: (SCN) "Jè chiamamula ccu 'raid ccu and choirs, pi sant'Àituzza Bedda, CA is niscennu, cittatini! semu all devotees, everyone? cittatini, cittatini! cheers Sant'Aita cittatini! Sant'Aita cheers. All devotees, everyone? cittatini, cittatini! » (EN) "Let's call it with grace and heart, sant'Agatuccia for good, that's coming out, citizens! We are all devoted, all? citizens, citizens, Agatha cheers, citizens! Agatha cheers. all devoted, all? citizens, citizens! »

Is then brought the bust containing relics on the altar and begins Mass said Dawn. During the trip from the treasury is the main altar sang the hymn of St. Agatha: Candlemas procession in Etnea the day around 5 in the inner city. The fercolo of St. Agatha in procession on day 4. The Villa Bellini at the feast of St. Agatha in Catania. February 3, 1993 Faithful in a white coat along the route of the procession the day 5. "Inneggiamo the unconquered martyr

Resplendent with divine light Inneggiamo to the great heroin At the altar covered with flowers Longing throbs of sacred Spread the joy in heaven And the shadow of the mystic veil Arises the joyous peal of heart

   You who shine in heaven
   Crowned with victory
   O Saint Agatha's glory
   For us, please, please there

Exultant in hard torment Light in the dark prison She deals with a pure soul The threat of a cruel man Do not listen to the vain flattery The promises of a radiant dream Vince and the fire of heaven harmonious The falls in love with the eternal splendor

   You who shine in heaven
   Crowned with victory
   O Saint Agatha's glory
   For us, please, please there

For centuries his name flies It echoes through the mountains and the sea Bathed in sunshine is the altar The body retains its faithful On! leviam citizens cheers On the centenary of mighty valor As a woman who prayed dying The immortal life of Mr.

   You who shine in heaven
   Crowned with victory
   O Saint Agatha's glory
   We pray, pray above "

(A. Corsaro - L. Licciardello)

At the end of Mass, the fercolo with Agatha, preceded by cannalore, begins around the outside of the city. The first part of the route is under Uzeda Door with 'at sea fell from [15] and subsequently, in Dusmet passing under the ramparts of the sixteenth-century walls of Charles V. Here up to the seventies was the case a launch colored ribbons by the seminarians. The underlying plane trees, bare of leaves on the season, so you rivestivano colored ribbons creating a fantastic color image.

The fercolo continues for the other streets around the outside of the city between two wings of the overflowing crowd. During the tour makes a stop in Piazza Carlo Alberto in front of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine. Then attains Stesichorus Square where there are places that recall the martyrdom of Saint Agatha. For here there is the Church of St. Agatha in Prison and the Church of Sant 'Agata to the Furnace in which the virgin Agatha was martyred. At this point there is the most characteristic event of the day. Along with cchianata de 'Cappuccini, [16] fercolo of St. Agatha is driven to ride to the summit of the same, so before coming to the Church of St. Dominic, in the homonymous square. In recent years, however, the slope is no longer traveled of stroke.

After reaching the Church of Sant'Agata la Vetere, [17], the first cathedral of Catania, the procession will stop here for a few hours. Towards evening, after a Mass in the little church of Sant'Agata la Vetere, takes a tour through the city's outer neighborhoods of 'ancient course of the Capuchins, the' u Futtinu [18], of St. Christopher and Guardian Angels to return to the cathedral, at dawn and in recent years on the morning of day 5. Here it gives rise to phantasmagoric fireworks shows. February 5 - The inside turn [edit] The fercolo during the feast of St. Agatha in Catania. February 5, 2004

The festival begins with the solemn pontifical concelebrated by the bishops of Sicily, in the presence of the papal legate, which is usually a cardinal. The clergy to participate in Catania complete civil and military authorities and people of faith. In the afternoon, at eighteen, begins around the inner city. The fercolo along the way to the Garden Etnea Bellini, then to divert away Caronda which runs until you reach Piazza Cavour or, as the people of Catania, 'u bbuggu [19] where, in front of the Village Church of St. Agatha, held a fireworks display.

At the end of the procession goes down, along the Etna, to the cathedral up to four songs where you turn right to make the race cchianata 's Sangiulianu [20] This is the highlight of the spectacular view. The fercolo was driven by racing citatini, along the Marquis of San Giuliano, until it reaches the top of the slope between two wings of the cheering crowd. [21] After an accident in the early twenty-first century, in which he lost his life a young, the climb is done quickly but not running for precautionary reasons. Because of the Crucifers, the most beautiful baroque streets of Catania, the fercolo starts at the cathedral. It made the final stop in front of the convent of Benedictine nuns, from behind the gates of the courtyard of their monastery, chanting of hymns to St. Agatha. So, when the sun will rise (or, more often, when it is already built for many hours), Agatha is back in the cathedral greeted by a large fireworks display. The party of 17 August [edit]

This festival is perhaps the oldest in time, as he clings to the spontaneous celebrations that occurred on the night of 17th August 1126 when the remains of the holy martyr were reported in Catania Catania from Constantinople, the two soldiers and Gisliberto Goselmo.

The festival is held to a lesser extent than the grandiose celebrations in February, but still in the old town attracts thousands of faithful and curious tourists. Besides the mass in honor of St. Agatha, in the late afternoon there is a short procession with the casket containing the relics and reliquary bust, near the Cathedral, Via Dusmet proceed to Piazza San Placido, and coming back to church for Via Vittorio Emanuele with extraordinary fireworks in an area reserved for the Port of Catania and, most particularly, on the roof of the church of San Placido. Other manifestations [edit] A Syrian tri ô [edit] Fires of pitotecnici A Syrian tri ô, on the evening of February 3

The evening of Feb. 3, ('a Syrian' or three, that is, on the evening of 3), takes place in Piazza del Duomo, in front of the cathedral, a concert of songs dedicated to St. Agatha, performed by choral towns. In front of a cheering crowd this is a moment of homage to the Virgin Catania. At the end of the concert is a show that mistletoes for durability and beauty is unparalleled. In this respect, when you want to cite an extraordinary event, the people of Catania said: "mancu 'to ô Syrian tri" ("Not even on the evening of February 3") to indicate the magnitude of the event. Sport [edit]

On the afternoon of Feb. 3, in the streets of the historic center of Catania takes place trophy Sant'Agata, a running track around the distance of 10,000 m. that over the years has assumed considerable importance in the international arena. The race winners often graduating athletes as they would go on to win major international events.

In past races disputed in other sports, including football. He was leading the Union Sportive Catanese, who in the twenties playing organized every year (usually against teams Messina) when he was giving away the trophy. In 1992, the Blackburn Rovers tried to revive the event, but the lack of interest of the public, the organizers had to give up [22]. The fair of Saint Agatha [edit]

The fair of St. Agatha goes back many centuries ago when they gave the start to the celebrations agatini with a large market that drew upon the traditions of medieval fairs when kings and princes, conceded the exemption from duties and taxes, pardons the condemned and concessions games are not permitted during the year. It was visited by a large number of people who were attracted not only by the party, the ability to make purchases at lower prices.

Nowadays the fair of St. Agatha is a large outdoor market that takes place during the celebration to the patron saint of Catania. Remains open for about eight days during which welcomes visitors into the night. Over the years he changed in appearance and location (usually held at the Garden Bellini), while maintaining the appearance of warm joy made by young and old visitors. Celebrations in the sixties [edit]

In the sixties was famous concert, which was held in the central square of the Bellini Garden, where a complex band composed of three major military bands chosen from time to time among those of the (Police, State Police, Financial Police, Army , Navy and Air Force), marches and operatic music performed in the presence of about fifty thousand spectators. The complex band, composed of over 300 items, was directed, in turn, the directors of the individual bands. Curiosity [edit] Votive candle brought by devotees as an offering to St. Agatha

   In the sixteenth century and possibly even earlier, had become customary, by many people mostly belonging to the bourgeoisie, to go around masked to avoid recognition. It is not clear why this practice which later degenerated in some cases of common crime. In fact concealed by masks, many attackers took advantage of the situation to enact violent and criminal actions. The motivation of these masquerades can be brought into connection with the celebration of Carnival, which usually coincides with the feasts of St Agatha.
   Another element of curiosity, contemporary with the previous one, is the figure of 'ntuppateddi [23]. These, from the sixteenth to mid-nineteenth century, were women, belonging to various social classes, and in the afternoon of February 4 and 5, ventured alone around the city wrapped in a big cloak and with his face completely hidden by not to be recognized. At that time it was a practice uncommon that a woman is married to unmarried, left the house without being accompanied. They went around the city by accepting occasional sweets and gifts from suitors.

Saint Agatha imprisoned

Saint Agatha - painting by Francisco de Zurbarán