The Feast of Saint Januarius (Naples) in Italy

When did the The Feast of Saint Januarius (Naples) in Italy start?

The first recorded date of The Feast of Saint Januarius (Naples) in Italy being celebrated on September 19 was in the year 304.

About The Feast of Saint Januarius (Naples) in Italy Holiday

The Feast of Saint Januarius, in Naples, Italy is one of the oldest, biggest and most important celebrations in the country. It takes place each year on 19th September and draws crowds of pilgrims and tourists from far and wide. It is said to celebrate the miracle that has happened for centuries - the liquefaction of the dried blood of Saint Januarius, the patron saint of Naples.

The massive celebration is a vibrant and colourful spectacle, with choirs performing religious hymns in Latin and processions of faithful pilgrims and clergy carrying decorated statues of the saint. But the highlight of this spectacular event is the breaking open of the reliquary that contains the solidified blood of Saint Januarius. Crowds of people eagerly await in anticipation to see what is considered to be a miracle; the dried blood that suddenly liquefies in front of their wide eyes!

The Feast of Saint Januarius is an annual event in Naples that is truly a unique and unforgettable experience. During the event visitors get to witness a rare cultural phenomenon and enjoy other festivities such as folk dances, traditional parades and fireworks. Above all, the Feast of Saint Januarius is a time for faith, celebration and tradition that has been celebrated in the same way for centuries.

The Feast of Saint Januarius (Naples) In Italy – History and Origin

The Feast of Saint Januarius, or San Gennaro in Italian, is a religious festival celebrated in Naples, Italy, in honor of Saint Januarius, one of the patron saints of Naples. The holiday is held annually on September 19th, and has been celebrated for centuries.

Saint Januarius was bishop of Naples during the fourth century and is said to have been martyred in the aftermath of the persecution of Christians by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Little else is known about Januarius, so much of his life and legacy is focussed on a miracle associated with him.

The miracle in question is that a quantity of his blood, contained in two separate sealed glass ampoules, has been preserved for centuries and now liquefies and turns a red color three different times year. Those dates are September 19th—the Feast of San Gennaro— December 16th, and the Saturday before the first Sunday in May.

The liquefaction of the blood is called the Miracle of San Gennaro and is seen as a sign that the saint still has special protection over the people of Naples. It has been recorded since at least 1389, but is thought to date much further back.

Significance and Meaning

For many Neapolitans, the Feast of San Gennaro is the most important religious event of the year and is surrounded in tremendous reverence. It’s seen as a time of prayer and spiritual renewal as well as an occasion to celebrate the miracle of Januarius’ blood.

The day also serves as an acknowledgement of faith—that the Catholic Church, the patron saint of Naples, and the city itself still enjoys Saint Januarius’ protection.

Traditions and Celebrations

The celebrations begin the night before San Gennaro’s feast day with an event called the “Luminara di San Gennaro.” It starts with a religious celebration in the Duomo di Napoli, thanksgiving to San Gennaro for his works and miracles.

During the daytime, a large parade is usually organized by the city’s authorities. It takes place in the historical center of Naples and is opened by members of the church, accompanied by a brass band playing religious music and the cardinal who leads the procession carrying a reliquary containing the Saint’s bones.

The parade is followed by a holy Mass in the Cathedral which is attended by people from all over Naples and its neighboring cities. After the religious celebration, most of the churches in the city open their doors for people to pay homage to San Gennaro.

The celebrations continue throughout the whole day and end with a fireworks display. People in Naples also organize huge street parties throughout the day with food stalls, live music and performances by artists.

Geographical Spread

The Feast of San Gennaro is one of the most popular holidays in Naples. It has spread beyond the city itself, however, and is also celebrated in various towns and cities near Naples, such as Pozzuoli, Castellammare di Stabia and Nola.

There are regional variations in the way the holiday is celebrated, however. For example, in Pozzuoli the celebrations begin a few days before the holiday itself and involve a “processione” (procession) of people carrying candles and singing religious hymns.

In Castellammare di Stabia, some religious rites are omitted, but the same day is designated as a holiday for the city and celebrated similarly to how it is celebrated in Naples.

Modern Day Observations

The Feast of San Gennaro is still celebrated in much the same way as it has been in centuries past, although in recent years there have been more elaborate and creative additions to the event. It’s now common for local artists and musicians to create new works specifically for San Gennaro’s feast day.

In addition to the religious processions and Mass in the Cathedral, many locals now participate in themed costume parties. Many of the traditional street parties are now held in clubs or other venues; however, some of the more traditional festival-style parties still take place in the streets.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

1. The Miracle of San Gennaro is considered a major miracle in the Catholic Church and has been investigated by the Pope and other church officials.

2. In some years, the blood of San Gennaro does not liquefy, and this has become known as the “Year of the Bloodless Miracle.” These years are often met with much dread by the citizens of Naples since it is seen as a bad omen.

3. San Gennaro is also the patron saint of the Italian cities of Amalfi, Sorrento, and Bari as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina.

4. Naples is sometimes referred to as “The City of San Gennaro” due to the popularity and importance of the Feast of San Gennaro.

5. A number of other festivals and events are tied to the holiday, such as a short-film festival to celebrate the Feast of San Gennaro and the San Gennaro Music Festival.

6. In the lead up to the celebration, many of the city’s libraries and churches hold exhibitions and seminars to celebrate the life and work of San Gennaro.

7. San Gennaro is the patron saint of chemists, Apothecaries, jewellers, and pasta makers.

8. In 2006, actor Sylvester Stallone made a gift of a special gold ring to the archbishop; with an inscription “Royal Blood” to commemorate the miracle of San Gennaro.

9. In 2011, the relics and the ampoules containing the preserved blood were stolen and later found in an abandoned car.

10. Many Neapolitans keep a statue or picture of Saint Gennaro in their homes and light candles in his honor.

Holiday Wishes

1. Wishing you a blessed Feast of Saint Januarius!
2. May your faith remain strong and your heart be filled with joy.
3. May the protection of San Gennaro keep your worries away.
4. May the miracle of His blood fill you with hope and courage.
5. Wishing you and your family an uplifting and peaceful San Gennaro’s Day.

Holiday Messages

1. May the love of San Gennaro brighten your day and fill your home with peace and joy.
2. Celebrate the miracle of Saint Januarius, and enjoy the wonders of life.
3. Take a moment to remember that the blessings of God are with us all, no matter where we are.
4. Believing in the miraculous is believing in the power of faith.
5. See the miracle of San Gennaro, and be inspired to bring joy into the lives of those around you.

Holiday Quotes

1. “He who is of a calm and cheerful temper, will bear calamities with much more equanimity.” -Thomas Jefferson
2. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” -Proverbs 3:5
3. “Care for the future as if it were the present, for one day it will become the past.” – Unknown
4. “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” – Oscar Wilde
5. “You can’t drink the cup of worry and think of miracles at the same time.” – Unknown

Other Popular Holiday Info

For many years The Feast of Saint Januarius (Naples) in Italy has been a much-anticipated holiday, and is celebrated with great fervor each year. Not content to merely observe the day, many Neapolitans also run special initiatives to further celebrate the occasion.

These initiatives span from the religious to the secular. The festivities usually begin with a procession through the streets of Naples of religious imagery related to San Gennaro. There are also outdoor concerts and local markets selling speciality items related to the holiday.

In 2021, a special exhibition called ‘San Gennaro Nostalgia’ was held in Naples, exploring the history and culture of the holiday. The exhibition featured photographs, artifacts, and artworks exploring San Gennaro’s impact on Naples.

Hosting the exhibition outdoors allowed for more participation by the public in the event. It was very well attended and provided a unique and captivating view of the holiday for those who visited.

The Feast of San Gennaro continues to be an important tradition in Naples, and continues to be a day of not only reverence, but also fun and jubilation.