From 13 to 15 June San Vito Lo Capo celebrates its namesake patron saint with a series of celebrations that open the summer and conclude with the evocative procession arriving from the sea.
The devotion to San Vito has very ancient origins and his cult extends not only to Sicily but to all of Europe since the first centuries after his martyrdom, during the great persecution wanted by the emperor Diocletian.
San Vito was born in Mazara del Vallo and from an early age, having lost his mother, he was entrusted to the care of two guardians who made him convert to the Christian faith.
Upon complaint from his natural father, who was a pagan, he was arrested and after suffering atrocious torture he was locked up in prison.
Despite this persecution he did not despair and did not deny his faith; indeed he was miraculously freed by an angel who took him by boat to Lucania, todayīs Basilicata which at that time extended to include Campania and Calabria.
Legend has it that during the journey he was fed by an eagle who brought him food and water until he landed on the coast of Cilento.
Here Vito acquired more and more fame as a healer and despite having helped the emperor Diocletian to free his son from the clutches of the devil, he still had him arrested and tortured until he died on 15 June 303.
Various devotional legends see him as the protagonist in Sicily, where various localities have elected him as patron saint: Mazara del Vallo obviously, where he was born, but also in the seaside village of San Vito Lo Capo, where a sanctuary with a small chapel dedicated to San Vito martyr.
Returning to the celebrations in honor of this martyr of the faith, the program includes a suggestive procession that arrives on land from the sea and the exciting landing of the Saint at sunset, accompanied by traditional fireworks.
In the evening the center comes alive with games, musical shows and exhibitions of food and wine products.
(texts Giuseppe Puglia)
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COMMENT "FEAST OF SAN VITO LO CAPO MARTYR"
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