Legend of the painting of the Annunciation
According to tradition, the painting of the Annunciation by Geraci Siculo is linked to a series of miraculous events.
According to a popular tradition, a peasant while working the fields, in the place where the church of Santa Maria la Cava stands today, heard a voice urging him to dig. Although the man was shocked and surprised by the voice, he followed the directions and began to hoe. Thus a roll of canvas with the image of the Annunciation came to light. A second exode is linked to this image which explains how today the image is found in the Mother Church of Geraci Siculo. It is said that in 1837 the cholera epidemic raged in Geraci. The inhabitants of the place then decided to go in penitential procession to the quarry to take the painting of the Annunciation and take it to the town. Barefoot between tears and prayers they carried the painting to Geraci. As soon as the painting reached the first houses in the town, the epidemic stopped. Since that day, every second Sunday in July, the picture is carried in procession in memory of the miraculous event. A third episode tells that there was an attempt, by unknown persons, to transfer the picture to nearby Castelbuono. According to tradition, the picture became so heavy that it could not be moved until the bells mysteriously began to ring, giving the alarm. Thus it was that the painting remained forever in Geraci.
