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The feast of Saint Devota is the most important religious event in the Principality of Monaco. Every year, on 26 and 27 January, Monegasque citizens and the royal family participate in the traditional celebrations of their patroness, which culminate with the entry of the relics into the church of Saint Devota and with the spectacular bonfire of a boat. What is the story of Saint Devota? And why is Monaco linked to her?
The feast of Saint Devota
Saint Devota is one of the oldest traditions in Monaco. It is a Christian feast that celebrates the martyrdom of a devotee, victim of a cruel fate. But how do celebrations take place, exactly?
It all begins in the church of Saint Devota, where the mass is held; after that, it is the turn of the procession. A boat arrives at the port and the relics of the Saint are blessed. The procession then continues up to Saint Devota Place, where the homonymous church is located. The festival ends with the burning of a boat, which acquires a strong symbolic value, and with a wonderful fireworks display.
The legend
The celebrations of the patron saint are deeply felt by the Monegasques. For this reason, knowing her story, which is also intertwined with legendary elements, is essential.
The devout Christian was born in Lucciana, Corsica, in the 3rd century. She faced fierce religious persecution by order of the Roman governor Diocletian. Arrested and tortured to death, the twenty-year-old girl, never denied her faith. Before her lifeless body was burned at the stake, a group of devout Christians stole it and put it onto a boat leaving for Africa, to give her a proper burial.
Then the story turns into legend. The boat, caught in a sudden storm, had to change course, following the path indicated by a dove which had miraculously emerged from the lifeless woman’s mouth. The martyred body arrived in Monaco, probably on January 27th.
The boat on fire
One of the most characteristic moments of the festival dedicated to the Saint is undoubtedly the bonfire of a boat. Tradition has it that the members of the royal family set fire to a boat, in a strong symbolic gesture.
In fact, reference is made to a past event, when a group of fishermen managed to stop a man who was trying to escape with the relics of the Saint. The thief was thus punished with the confiscation of his boat, which was then publicly set on fire in a symbolic act of expiation.
The feast days of Saint Devota, protector of the Monegasque identity, are therefore part of a peculiar religious tradition that is worth attending at least once.
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