Feast of Sant'Anastasia in Motta Sant'Anastasia

Also known as Ranni party, Patron Saint in honour of Sant'Anastasia in Motta Sant'Anastasia, a small village in the province of Catania, it is held every four or five years.

Description of the Feast of Sant'Anastasia in Motta Sant'Anastasia

The festival is organized on days where the various moments are traditionally divided according to a precise order.

We start on August 22nd when i I would like some districts, richly adorned, wander through the streets of Motta Sant'Anastasia and in the afternoon they all meet in the central Piazza Umberto where, among fireworks and music played by the local bands, they perform the traditional dance among a jubilation of cheering crowds praising their district.

After the evening mass takes place Fall of the Party. It is a show organized by the three districts which is inspired by the life of the Saint.

On 23 August the districts and local authorities participate in theoffering of wax which requires all the districts to bring their candles to church. The afternoon is dedicated to the historical re-enactment which goes by the name of Descent of the Quatrains made up of hundreds of people in medieval costume who pass through the center until they reach Piazza Umberto awaiting the arrival of the procession with the relics of the Patron Saint.

The following day the statue of the Saint is taken from the place where it resides and brought to the main altar where the faithful pay homage. Only in the late afternoon is the simulacrum placed inside a finely decorated wooden fercolo to be carried in procession. Also in Piazza Umberto are performed the sing about the districts when the simulacrum arrives and, in the end, is transported along Via XX Settembre and Piazza Principe di Piemonte before continuing its journey along Via Vittorio Emanuele and returning to Piazza Umberto for a final stop before being placed again in the Mother Church.

The 25th, the last day of the Feast of Saint Anastasia, begins early in the morning with a volley of cannon shots. The mass is celebrated in a solemn manner by the Archbishop of Catania. The afternoon is dedicated to the historical parade that runs through the main streets of the center and at 19pm the last mass of the day is celebrated at the end of which the simulacrum is once again carried in procession before finally returning amidst the cheering shouts of the population and the beginning of a fireworks display.

History of the Feast of Sant'Anastasia in Motta Sant'Anastasia

To delve into the history of the Feast of Saint Anastasia we must first know the life of the Saint. She was a Roman nobleman who had a pagan education until her mother was converted to Christianity by Chrysogonus, also freeing her daughter. She was given in marriage to a Roman soldier who was appointed ambassador to the king of Persia by the emperor Diocletian. Having to leave, he ordered his wife Anastasia to be deprived of everything so as to let her die but, contrary to expectations, it was he who died and Anastasia - who remained a virgin - was released even if she was later taken prisoner in Tassalonica, a place where she had gone to comfort the Christian martyrs. The woman experienced much suffering until the prefect Florio of Illyricum, seeing the futility of corrupting her, sent her to the stake where she was burned alive at the end of 304 on the island of Palmaria.

The relic - consisting of a bone fragment - located in Motta Sant'Anastasia and certified by Clement XI was donated in 1703 to the church of the Sicilian town.

From that moment on, every year a procession is organized through the streets of the town characterized by the transport of Candlemas which sees the bearers perform waving movements.

When the Feast of Sant'Anastasia takes place in Motta Sant'Anastasia

The Festival is divided into two segments. From 20 to 22 August the Sacred Triduum is held in honor of Saint Anastasia which culminates on the 22nd with the Cerei and the descent of the Party which involves the Cerei of the city districts walking through the streets of the town accompanied by bands and, in the afternoon, holds the demonstration in Piazza Umberto.

The Patronal Festival takes place on the days of 23, 24 and 25 August, following a calendar of religious initiatives in honor of the Saint.

Where the Feast of Sant'Anastasia takes place in Motta Sant'Anastasia

The Patronal Festival is held in the streets of the center of Motta Sant'Anastasia with the Mother Church and Piazza Umberto as its fulcrum.

What to do during the Feast of Saint Anastasia

Participation, as well as the religious aspect, is engaging given the spectacular competitive spirit that the Rioni bring out in the competition. Being part of the public is certainly an unforgettable experience and following the emotional wave of the inhabitants of Motta Sant'Anastasia is the right thing to do.

Definitely worth visiting Mother Church dedicated to Maria SS. of the Rosary, built in the thirteenth century and subsequently enlarged both in the fifteenth century and the following century.
Also the Motta Tower o Dungeon it is quite significant for immersing yourself in a journey back in time. In the medieval village there is also the Church of the Immaculate Conception which was the first building that preserved the relics of the Patron Saint.

Very interesting in the surrounding area are the Roman Baths in Misterbianco where it is also recommended to visit the Palazzo Ducale, the Church of San Rocco and the Palazzo del Senato.

How to get to Motta Sant'Anastasia

By car:, from Catania take the SS121 and the SP13 in the direction of Motta Sant'Anastasia, from Palermo take the A20 in the direction of SS117 in Reitano, exiting at S. Stefano di Camastra from the A20/E90. Alternatively you can take the A19/E932 to Agira from SP18/SP43, SP18 AND SP21.