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Every year the city of Catania is dressed in lights, colours, scents and flavours. This is an unmissable event, which annually sees the presence of several thousand people: the festival of Saint Agatha. The third largest religious celebration in the world in terms of participants and spectators, its origins date back to more than 1700 years ago, during the persecutions of Christians wanted by the then emperor Decius. This makes the cult of the patron saint of Catania among the most historic and ever-changing since Christian antiquity. But who was Agatha, what was her story? How is it celebrated in the Etna city?
Agatha, a very young martyr with tenacious faith
That of the patron saint of Catania is not a story with a happy ending, but it is certainly a symbol of tenacity and courage to the extreme limits. Agatha was a member of a family of noble origins from the 3rd century AD, who decided to consecrate to God. This demonstrates the presence of a Christian community in Sicily already at that time.
Not only that, the illustrations of the time see the young woman represented with a red veil, symbol of an important religious position, that of deaconess; this figure was responsible for accompanying the new converts in the profession of the new faith.
The life of Christians, however, was certainly not easy at the time: the emperor Decius, author of a rigorous policy of restoration of the Roman religion, started about 18 months of persecution against those who professed the Catholic religion. He forced the citizens of the Empire to offer a sacrifice to demonstrate their loyalty; however, there were many who refused to perform the pagan rite. First of all, Pope Fabian, who was martyred for this, staarting a long period of vacant seat, waiting for the intensity of the persecutions to subside.
The meeting with Quinziano
The young Agatha, who according to fragmentary testimonies of the time could have been between 16 and 21 years old, fled with her family towards the Palermo area to escape persecution. Tracked down by the Roman authorities, she returned to Catania. Here she was noticed by the proconsul Quinziano, who fell in love with her and forced her to renounce the Catholic faith.
Quinziano’s numerous attempts to convince Agatha were to no avail, starting with the confiscation of the assets of her family. Her young girl was first entrusted to the care of the priestesses of Venus who, through temptation, attempted to make her turn her back on her faith. Without success, Quinziano resorted to torture. Her breasts were torn off with pincers; these two elements, today, are representative symbols of the Saint.
The girl’s wounds were healed, according to the narratives of the time, by Saint Peter, who appeared to her during the night. When the torture was no longer of any use, Quinziano condemned Agatha to death. The young woman was subjected to the torture of burning coals, and she died in prison from the wounds sustained on 5 February 251.
But the story does not end here. Legends tell how, when the young girl passed away, a strong earthquake occurred in Catania. Quinziano, frightened, ran away; however, he was swallowed up, with his horse, by whirlpools that formed on the Simeto river. Agatha’s sacrifice was so evident that, starting from 252 AD, she began to be venerated by carrying her veil in procession. It miraculously stopped the lava during an eruption of Etna, during the first anniversary of the young woman’s death.
The celebration of Agatha, between sacred and profane
Over the years, the “festival” of Saint Agatha has transformed considerably. We have news of the first celebrations from 1126 onwards, when the remains of the Saint returned to their homeland, after having been kept as war booty for many years in Constantinople. At least initially, the celebrations were held in church. After the earthquake of 1169 and the subsequent reconstruction of Catania, the new, wider streets and connections between more parts of the city made it possible to think of a procession.
From 1376 onwards, with the construction of the reliquary bust and the Vara, the chair through which the relics of the Saint are transported, the first processions began: first only on February 4th, then on the 4th and 5th. From the Renaissance era onwards, profane celebrations began to appear, some of which have survived to the present day
An example is certainly the ‘ntuppatedde, young veiled women who, rebelling against the rule according to which women were not allowed to leave the house alone, found freedom for just one night, allowing themselves to wild dances and to be courted by the participants at the party. Masks, after all, are not unusual for the festival of Saint Agatha. Often, in fact, it coincides with the carnival, creating this festive and mysterious atmosphere at the same time.
Certainly, among the most famous profane elements, the cannalori must be mentioned: big structures of different designs which, by tradition, represent the vote expressed by the various corporations of the city. Over the centuries they have increased and decreased in number. Today there are 15, with the latest addition in 2024, dedicated to Luigi Maina.
With their classic annacata, a ballet-like undulating movement, they announce the arrival of the celebration in the streets of the city starting from January 20th, accompanied by bands playing cheerful tunes. On 4 and 5 February they anticipate the Vara during the internal and external tour, without music but in solemn procession.
There is no shortage of elements such as fireworks, especially expected on February 3rd, with a pyromusical show. And, of course, there is no shortage of sacred elements.
Among them, we must certainly remember the large votive candles carried on the shoulders by the Devoti, those who make a vow to Sant’Agata. According to tradition, on the 5th candles lit are as large and heavy as the person carrying them. The Devoti not only remain to watch over their candle in prayer all night; they also pull the long cord during the Saint’s procession, shouting prayers and words of love for Agatha.
The octave and the mid-August festival of Saint Agatha
The meeting with Saint Agatha is among the most awaited and desired by the entire city. The separation occurs in a moving way, with the reliquary bust embraced by the white tide of Devoti as it is led to the chapel where it is put to rest. Eight days after the festival, the reliquary bust goes out again for a short tour of the Piazza del Duomo: thus begins the long moment of separation between Catania and its patron saint.
One last moment of the year where it is possible to greet the Saint once again is August 17th, the moment of the mid-August festival of Saint Agatha. This is the date in which the soldiers Gilberto and Goselino brought Agatha’s remains back to their homeland. The city, once again, dresses up and greets the patron saint, and then gives her an appointment the following February.
The one between Catania and Saint Agatha, therefore, is a very long and profound love story. The intensity of the devotion towards the young girl, who many times miraculously saved the city from destruction by eruptions, is palpable at the time of the celebrations. An event that, at least once, wherever you come from, must be seen and experienced to the full.
