St Bartholomew's Day in Italy

sculpture carried through the streets of the citySt. Bartolomeo Day (S. Bartolomeo) - August 24, is not a public holiday, celebrated on the Sunday closest to the date.

Saint Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The story of his life contains many inaccuracies and is interspersed with numerous legendary events. His real name is Nathaniel, and the name Bartholomew he received as an adult. According to other sources, his name was Jesus and he was forced to adopt a different name, according to the unwritten law of Syria.

After the Ascension of Christ, he took up missionary work and went to India as a preacher, where he left a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. Then to Armenia, where he received recognition for the spread of Christianity and his ability to heal the sick and demoniacs. There is a local legend in Baku that he was subjected to terrible torture when, while alive, he was skinned and crucified by pagans.

His body was then sent to Lipari (a small island near Sicily), where it was in the Cathedral of St. Paul. Bartholomew has his remains.

The name of St. Bartholomew is associated with certain phenomena of the kind of miracles that occurred before and after his death. One of the most popular cases is known among the inhabitants of the island of Lipari. When his body was found on the shore, the bishop of the local church ordered the men to lift the body. When the attempts failed, the bishop sent for the children. And they brought the body to land with ease, while adults couldn't.

Since Bartholomew’s body was discovered on the island, people have been celebrating the event every year. During the holiday, a solid sculpture of silver or gold was carried out from the cathedral and carried around the city. At present, this event is celebrated on a large scale, thereby attracting a large number of people to participate.

Statue of St. Bartholomew, housed in Milan Cathedral

This is a national holiday, on this day there are masses dedicated to the saint, on the streets of cities that celebrate this holiday, traditional games are organized, such as tug of war, running in bags, the "tree of abundance" (albero della cuccagna) - a pole with prizes on the top that must be obtained, etc.

On the main square of the city on this day, tastings of products produced in different regions of Italy are usually held. Every night restaurants offer original dishes. Evening performances entertain adults and children. There are also exhibitions of paintings and sculptures, concerts, and the holiday ends with a traditional performance of a brass band, which is especially popular with older people.