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San Nicola Di Bari (St. Nicholas of Bari, Italy) |
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San
Nicola, or St. Nicolas of Bari, is the Patron Saint of Bari Italy. Bari
is the capital of the Puglia region of Italy and is located only
20 kilometers from Casamassima.
St. Nicholas was born during the 3rd
century on the southern coast of Turkey in a village called Patara. He
came from a wealthy family and is well known for using his fortune to
help the poor, sick and suffering. He eventually became Bishop of Myra
Turkey. He was persecuted and jailed by the ruling Roman Emperor, but
later released. He died on Dec. 6, 343 AD in Myra, Turkey.
He is known to love children, being
very generous with the needy and the protector of sailors. It
is believed St. Nicholas is the true Santa Claus.
It is reported that In the year 1087 the remains and relics of San Nicola were taken from his tombstone in Myra, Turkey and brought back to the city of Bari Italy. The story goes, that when Turkey was dominant in Asia Minor, Christian pilgrims feared they would not be allowed to visit St. Nicholas's Shrine and tomb. So, sailors whisked his remains back to Bari where a huge Basilica was erected in His honor.
During the month of May of each
year, the St. Nicholas Celebration, or Festa Di San Nicola takes place
in Bari for 1 week. A statue of the Saint is escorted through the
city in a huge procession. During the celebration, for one
day, the statue of the Saint is taken to sea in a boat and sailed around
the bay of Bari, accompanied by many worshippers in boats.
Copyright © 2005 Pastore |
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