Festa di San Paolo Palazzolo Acreide

The feast of St. Paul the Apostle in Palazzolo Acreide is celebrated on January 25, the day that commemorates the saint's conversion to Christianity, and on June 29, the day in which the saint's martyrdom is commemorated.

The The summer festival of St. Paul the Apostle, due to its beauty and its ancient tradition, has been inscribed on the list of Intangible Heritage of UNESCO. On this date, the Patron Saint is thanked for the year's harvest and for the graces received.
The festival begins on June 27 with the pilgrimage to the "San Pauluzzu" district and with the switching on of the spectacular lights in the Basilica dedicated to the Saint and of the square.
On 28 June the traditional Giro di Gala takes place with banners, flags, a historic picket on horseback and the "tammurinari", who parade with the band for the streets of the city. In the evening, A Sciuta ra cammira takes place, the moment of the unveiling of the simulacrum, the sixteenth-century statue of Saint Paul, which is welcomed by the jubilant cries of the devotees.
June 29, the day of the feast of the Patron, begins with the blessing and distribution of the ear of San Paulu and the so-called "U giro ro pani", or The tour of bread: A small cart is pulled by hand through the streets of the town by the faithful and collects the traditional "cuddure", donut-shaped loaves decorated with snakes which are then blessed and sold in the churchyard.
Followed by the majestic and spectacular "Sciuta" , i.e. "exit", of the vara with the statue of St. Paul and the relic, between the launch of 'nzareddi, strips of colored paper, and spectacular fireworks that envelop the church in a cloud of colour.
The procession follows in which one of the most evocative moments is the rite of stripping the children who are hoisted onto the vara to be offered to the Saint to implore his protection. In the evening a second procession takes place, after which the simulacrum returns to the church. The festival ends with a musical show and fireworks.

The winter festival of St. Paul the Apostle, as it falls in a very cold period of the year, becomes an opportunity to propitiate non-adverse atmospheric conditions guarantee a good harvest.
The feast begins on January 25, the day on which the Solemn Mass is celebrated, after which the procession of the reliquary begins through the main streets of the city. The celebrations continue until February 1, the day of the octave with the "veiled" of the sixteenth-century statue of the Patron.

Dates and Scheduling

15 Jul 2024

334th Anniversary of the Confirmation of the Election of Saint Paul the Apostle Patron of the City of Palazzolo Acreide

08:30 Holy Mass presided over by the Very Rev. Monsignor MICHELE BOCCACCIO.

10:30 Holy Mass presided over by the ARCHPRIEST PARISH.

19:00 Solemn Holy Mass presided over by His Excellency the Most Reverend Monsignor SALVATORE RUMEO, Bishop of Noto.
The Holy Mass will be animated by the "San Paolo Apostolo Parish Choir".

20:30 Evening procession through the main streets of the city (the procession scheduled for the Octave).

22:30 Musical evening with the “Vincenzo Bellini” Wind Orchestra
conducted by Maestro Umberto Terranova.
 Piazza G. Nigro

24:00 Arrival in Piazza G. Nigro and fireworks display.
At the end of the procession, return to the Basilica of San Paolo and Velata of the sixteenth-century statue of the Patron Saint of Palazzolo.

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