Feast of San Biagio in Caronia

Caronia is a country of about 3 people in the Metropolitan City of Messina and its patron saint è San Biagio.

La Feast of St. Blaise it is celebrated in two different periods of the year, in fact the first official date falls in winter, in month of February, while the second is in the month of August.

During the Feast of San Biagio in the winter months, the faithful participate in the liturgy in honor of the Patron, follow the Procession through the main streets of the town, crossed by the simulacrum of the Saint with the reliquary and finally participate in the blessing of the throat; during the Festival in the summer months, the celebrations are characterized above all by the Procession, by shows and musical events, while the emigrants try to return to the town on the occasion of the Festival.

The history of the Feast of San Biagio in Caronia

San Biagio has been the patron saint of Caronia since 1818. The cult of the saint in the town has been alive for many years before, in fact in the area there is also the San Biagio stone, a boulder on which, according to what is said in the village, the Patron Saint, Bishop and Martyr of the XNUMXth century sat.

Tradition has it that during the Procession in February, the faithful follow the relic of the Saint, but in more recent times, a fragment of the arm bone of San Biagio has been added to the reliquary, which is used for the blessing of the throats. With this celebration, the faithful honor the memory of the Patron Saint and ask the Lord for the strength to always live in compliance with religious precepts.

When the Feast of San Biagio takes place in Caronia

The Feast of San Biagio takes place on 3 February, but already the previous day the faithful begin to prepare, arranging everything necessary for the Procession; the summer celebrations, on the other hand, take place from11 15 to August.

Where the Feast of San Biagio takes place in Caronia

At the Church of San Biagio, in Via Umberto I, solemn Masses take place in honor of the Patron Saint, while the other religious events linked to the Festival take place in the main square and in the streets of the centre.

What to do during the Feast of San Biagio in Caronia

Those who participate in the Feast of San Biagio in winter will be able to discover the devotion of the faithful, gather in prayer with the local inhabitants and explore the main attractions of the town, as well as taste all the flavors of Sicilian cooking: starting with a walk in the medieval old town, you will discover streets, alleys and Ancient churches, like that of S Antonio; south of the village, is theSaracen Arch, ancient entrance to the town.
Other attractions that we advise you not to miss in the centre, in addition of course to the Mother Church, I'm there Roman cistern of the XNUMXnd century AD, the old bridge and Belvedere Santuzza on the Provincial Road, which will offer you not only a wonderful point of view on Caronia, but also on the entire northern coast, up to the Aeolian Islands.

To taste the best traditional dishes, ask at the restaurant for the typical specialities, such as murata meat or mussels au gratin, closing the meal with the delicious Sicilian cassata.

If you also wish to visit larger cities, from Caronia you will be in Messina in about an hour and a half of travel, to admire the Strait, the port and the marvelous beauties of the centre, such as the Cathedral or the Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani.

If you participate in the summer party, you can also add stops on the wonderful beaches of the island to these stops on your Sicilian tour, taking the opportunity to swim in the clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea: starting from Marina di Caronia, Up to Capo d'Orlando, this stretch of the northern coast of Sicily welcomes you with many beautiful beaches.

How is it possible to get to Caronia

Caronia, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, can be easily reached by car or train: by car, from the A20 Messina-Buonfornello, take the exit for Santo Stefano di Camastra, continuing for the next 11 km to the centre; on the train, getting off at the S. Agata di Militello station (about 17 km from the village) you will find buses and shuttles going to the town.