In Italy the big San Nicola festival commemorates the event of 1087 when the mortal remains of St. Nicholas were brought to Bari.
Many Christians were sufficiently concerned after the Turks
occupied Myra they would no longer be permitted to visit the Saints tomb.
So, a group of Italian sailors spirited them away to Bari where a
huge was Cathedral was built in his honor.
At the festival every May, Nicola's statue is taken out to sea for
a day and then Thousands welcome it back to Bari with a lighted procession
winding from the harbor to a public square.
The mayor and other dignitaries greet the statue and address the crowds. The week-long celebration includes a solemn high mass in the basilica which is filled to over-flowing with devout worshipers.
No comments:
Post a Comment