Feast of Saint James the Apostle in Spain

When did the Feast of Saint James the Apostle in Spain start?

About Feast of Saint James the Apostle in Spain Holiday

The Feast of Saint James the Apostle is an evening of celebration and devotion in the city of Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain. This national holiday honors St. James, the patron saint of Spain, and is celebrated every year on the 25th of July.

The tradition of honoring Saint James begins early in the morning with crowds joining in public Mass inside Santiago de Compostela's stunning Cathedral of St. James. Inside, devotees light candles and join in the chanting of hymns and liturgical songs. Afterward, the faithful of all ages gather in the Placer de Obradoiro outside the cathedral and sing solemnly while watching a procession of members of the clergy, local dignitaries, and members of the Galician Royalty.

The evening of the feast is a vibrant affair. The city takes on an air of celebration and merriment as residents and visitors alike flock to the Placer de Obradoiro to enjoy a lively festival. There's an air of festivity thanks to the impressive array of live music, traditional dancing, colorful costumes, and delicious food that make up the celebrations. A traditional Galician meal, usually composed of seafood, chicken, and pork-based dishes, is common at the festival. The night culminates in a stunning fireworks display, which casts beautiful colors and shapes across the night sky.

Feast of Saint James the Apostle, Spain, July 25 – History and Origin

The Feast of Saint James the Apostle, or Santiago, is celebrated in Spain every July 25 and is a major holiday in both the Spanish culture and the Catholic Church. The holiday dates back to medieval times when a group of pious pilgrims from France famously stopped in Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in the region of Galicia in northwest Spain. It is said that during their stay at the basilica, a pillar of fire appeared in the sky, accompanied by a bright star.

The star and pillar of fire, which was later referred to as the “Star of Bethlehem” was interpreted as a sign of the presence of Saint James the Apostle in Compostela. Therefore, the feast of Santiago, celebrated on July 25, was born.

Significance and Meaning

The Feast of Saint James the Apostle is celebrated to commemorate the life and teachings of St. James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. In particular, it honors his martyrdom in Jerusalem, as well as his influence on Spanish culture and history.

The date of the holiday is also significant, not only because it marks the Actual bodily resurrection of Saint James in Jerusalem, but also because it coincides with the summer solstice, a time when the sun is the highest in the sky. This connection between Santiago and the summer solstice is seen as evidence of the strength and power of the sun, which is an important symbol in Spanish culture.

Finally, the Feast of Saint James is a celebration of faith, with pilgrims gathering in Santiago de Compostela to celebrate the anniversary of the star’s first appearance and pray to St. James.

Traditions and Celebrations

The Feast of Saint James the Apostle is one of the biggest holidays in Spain. On the eve of Santiago, which is called “Festa Major”, Spanish cities and towns all over the country stage traditional festivals with colorful parades and live music.

In Santiago de Compostela, the celebrations are even more grandiose, with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and tourists gathering in the city’s streets. During this time, the spectacular Santiago Cathedral is lit up in a dazzling display of lights, and there are processions with religious icons and floats.

One of the most popular traditional events associated with the Feast of Saint James is the “running of the bulls”, where young men test their courage by running in front of multiple herds of bulls. Another popular event is the lighting of bonfires, which is a practice that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Geographical Spread

The Feast of Saint James is celebrated in Spain and other Latin American countries, where it is known as the Fiesta de Santiago (in Mexico and Peru) or Festa de Santiago (in Brazil).

In Spain, the holiday is particularly popular in Galicia, which is both Saint James’ homeland and where Santiago de Compostela is located. It is also celebrated in other parts of the country such as Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Basque region.

Modern Day Observations

In modern times, the Feast of Saint James is still celebrated in much the same way it has been for hundreds of years. In Santiago de Compostela and other areas of Spain, people still come together for bonfires, bull-running, and parades, and the city is a hive of activity during this time.

The holiday has also been extended to other parts of the world, with people of Spanish descent in the Americas (e.g. the United States, Mexico, and Peru) and the Philippines celebrating it in their own unique ways.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

– The “Star of Bethlehem” seen by the pilgrims in Santiago de Compostela is represented in the Flag of Galicia.

– The modern-day statue of St. James in Santiago de Compostela is known as the “Mateo”, which was carved from a single marble block by Italian artist Giuseppe Frisoni in 1920.

– The feast of Saint James is also known as “St. James’ Day” and “Día de Santiago”.

Conclusion

The Feast of Saint James the Apostle is one of the most important holidays in Spain and the Catholic Church, and it has been celebrated for centuries. It marks the Actual bodily resurrection of St. James in Jerusalem and the appearance of the “Star of Bethlehem” in Santiago de Compostela, and is associated with a range of traditions and celebrations. While the holiday is largely celebrated in Spain and other Latin American countries, its importance is now acknowledged around the world.

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