Patronal Feast of San Teodoro Martire in Gallodoro

A Gallodoroin the Metropolitan City of Messina, Feast of the Patron Saint is celebrated in month of November.
San Teodoro Martyr is the Patron of the country , Patronal feast in Gallodoro it is the moment in which the whole community of the faithful remembers him with devotion.

The eve of the Feast is dedicated to prayer, in the traditional Vigil of the faithful who, after having prayed together in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, pour into the streets to pay homage to the Saint, with fireworks lighting up the evening. The whole country gathers to listen to the Banda and taste together the traditional dishes: pasta with chestnuts and sausages, washed down with the excellent local wine. A convivial moment, in which all the joy and devotion with which the faithful remember San Teodoro Martire are released.

The next day, a real day of celebration, awaits the afternoon for the liturgical celebration, which is followed by a procession through the streets of the town: the statue of San Teodoro Martire is accompanied by the faithful through the streets of the centre, while the Band Musicale di Gallodoro follows the procession to the rhythm of music.

The history of the feast of San Teodoro in Gallodoro

Theodore was a Roman soldier of the XNUMXrd century AD His origins were Eastern, but the man was stationed in the city Turk from Amasya at the time ofEmperor Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus. The two protagonists of this story represented two opposing religious fronts: the pagan emperor, the soldier a Christian.

Theodore therefore paid with his life for his creed, which he did not want to renounce even after the edict issued by the emperor, to find among his soldiers those of the Christian faith. Imprisoned and then released, the former soldier never stopped professing his faith and, for this, was condemned to death at the stake. Thanks to his faith, however, he died without suffering and became a martyr, whose cult spread throughout the Christian world, even reaching Italy.

In Gallodoro his cult has been alive since the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the small rural church dedicated to him and the patronage of the town, which is celebrated with great participation by all the faithful.

When the feast of San Teodoro Martire takes place in Gallodoro

The Patronal Feast in Gallodoro is celebrated on November 9, but since the previous day, the inhabitants of the town have been preparing for the celebration, with the prayer and recollection of the community.

Where the patronal feast of Gallodoro takes place

In the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, on the homonymous square, the Patronal Festival is celebrated in Gallodoro, which begins from Prayer Eve; the faithful gather in the square to eat together, while the procession that accompanies the simulacrum of the saint the following day, winds along the streets of the historic center of the town.

What to do during the feast of San Teodoro in Gallodoro

La Patronal feast in Gallodoro it is a moment of spiritual recollection, but also of great conviviality. It is no coincidence that one of the most important moments of the celebration, in addition to Mass and prayer, is when the faithful gather in the square to I'll handle it traditional dishes. Even the tourists who arrive in Gallodoro for the celebration can then join the local population in prayer and conviviality.

Taste i local dishes, drink the good Sicilian wine, making friends with the inhabitants of Gallodoro and living the feast for the Patron Saint with them, gathering in a moment of prayer is undoubtedly the best way to participate in the Feast of San Teodoro Martyr.

Once in the village, you can visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta to especially admire the wonderful Gonfalone Antonelliano of the sixteenth century: the Crucifixion of Christ is represented on the sacred sculpture, but you can also admire the image of San Teodoro Martire. Not far from the center of Gallodoro, there is the small and ancient church dedicated to Patron saint since the Middle Ages; nearby, there is also another very special sacred building, carved directly into the rock. This is the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, the work of Sicilian stonemasons.

In the village you can taste other typical dishes, in addition to those served during the festival, starting with the local cold cuts and cheeses, up to the cuzzola, an original dish based on fried soup.

A little less than 8 km from Gallodoro rises on the Ionian Coast, Letojanni. The two villages separated in 1952, but today those who stay in Gallodoro and want to spend a few hours on the beach can reach the coastal village in a few minutes and relax with a walk on the sand even in the colder months.
During a stay in Gallodoro, you can organize a tour along the Ionian coast, touching Taormina, where a stop at the Greek Theatre and Giardini Naxos and then continuing up to Catania (about 57 km) to admire Piazza del Duomo, Cathedral of Sant'Agata and Palace of the Elephants.

How to get to the Feast of San Teodoro in Gallodoro

Gallodoro is located in the Metropolitan City of Messina, from which it is about 57 km away, along the Ionian coast. The small town can be easily reached on the motorway, taking the A18 Messina-Catania to the exit for Taormina; from here, continue on the SS 114 up to Letojanni and then follow the signs for Gallodoro. Also on the train, Gallodoro can be reached easily, by booking a ride to Taormina Station: once you get off, continue by bus to the centre, with a short journey of about 6,5 km.