Legend of the Holy Cross in Rosolini
Rasheedhrasheed - CC4.0
A legend tells of the miraculous discovery of the Holy Cross of Rosolini.
It is said that, on May 1, 1533, the cross was found in the Grotta del Bove, so called because of this legend, located inside the Lazarus Quarry. In fact, in the Lazarus quarry there is a hermitage set in the rock dating back to the 4th century where traces of the four churches that followed one another over time are still visible. The fourth church is known as Cave of the Bove.
Legend has it that a cowherd noticed strange behavior in one of his oxen, as this delayed his return every day. One day the cowherd decided to go and look for the ox and to his surprise he found him inside a cave kneeling in front of a cross.
From that day the cave was known as Cave of the Bove >, and the cross was brought to the Church of the SS. Crucifix where, even today, it is kept inside a shrine.
Every year, in memory of this event, a solemn festival is celebrated in honor of the Holy Cross of Rosolini.
