On Saturday September 16, an extensive program of activities began in this city with a historical procession organized by the Organizing Committee of the Candidacy for UNESCO Listing, symbolizing the cult and veneration of San Gennaro throughout the world.
The event was attended by more than 200 historical re-enactors belonging to various associations, including the Fantasia de Epoca group, the Pistonieri of Santa María del Rovo, the Charles V Procession of the Luigi Einaudi Institute, the La Rosa y la Espada company and the Knights of the White Roll group from Cava de’ Tirreni.
The procession started at 4:30 p.m. local time from the Basilica of Santa Maria del Carmine Maggiore and crossed the historic center of the city until it reached the Naples Cathedral or the Duomo, where a cultural and religious performance took place from 5:30 p.m., impressive by his majesty.
The procession then moved to the market square, where an educational exhibition on the craft organized by the Vita Antiqua association was set up and the equestrian show Giostra del Carusiello was presented in memory of the ceremonies in honor of San Gennaro of the 15th century, during the Kingdom of Naples.
In this city and in many parts of the world, this 3rd-century bishop, who was executed during the persecutions of Christians ordered by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, is revered, and religious tradition holds that a woman collected his blood in a bottle that has been used ever since Jealous is kept in the Neapolitan Cathedral.
Millions of believers around the world closely follow the well-known miracle of the Blood of San Gennaro three times a year, when the Archbishop of this city stirs the container with the solidified blood, which regains its liquid form, which is otherwise seen as a bad omen.
This traditional cult begins every Saturday before the first Sunday in May, continues with a similar act on September 19th during the patron feast of San Gennaro and ends with a third ceremony on December 16th.
This year’s celebrations, which began this weekend, will continue on September 18 and 19, and on this final day at 9:45 a.m. local time, Archbishop Domenico Battaglia is expected to open the safe where the vials of San Gennaro’s blood are kept.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. local time, during which those present will be informed whether the extraordinary event of blood liquefaction will occur.
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