Feast of S. Antonio Abate in Giarratana

The liturgical feast of Sant'Antonio Abate in Giarratana takes place on January 17.
The day before the feast, January 16, in the basilica of the same name which rises on the hill overlooking the Hyblean mountain center, the members of the committee of celebrations and the faithful animate the traditional rite of the translation of the seventeenth-century simulacrum, which depicts the saint, on the high altar. The rite of translation is preceded by the festive sound of the bells and the firing of cannon shots. The simulacrum is visited and venerated every year by hundreds of devotees.
On 17 January, the day of the liturgical feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot, several solemn liturgies are celebrated in the basilica.
The following Sunday, 17 January is the day of the outdoor party. In the morning the roar of cannon shots, the ringing of bells and the musical band announce the day of celebration. On the day of the external festival, two processions take place, one in the morning and the other in the evening. The exit of the simulacrum from the church is greeted by fireworks and the traditional "Nzaiareddi" which create a very suggestive atmosphere, typical of the Baroque festivals, widespread in this area of ​​Sicily. In the afternoon there is also the traditional blessing of the animals in front of the churchyard. After the blessing takes place the traditional "dinner", the typical sweets offered to the saint and sold at auction. The party ends in the evening with the return of the Saint to the Basilica.

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