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LA FESTA DI SANT'AGATA
La Festa di Sant'Agata begins on February 3rd and lasts until the eve of February 5th, the day of Agatha's death in 251 AD.
THE RELICS
The cult of Christian saints arose in the third century and perpetuated the belief that the remains of saints, or objects they had touched where holy and could produce miracles. On February 5th, the bust of Agatha, among other relics, is removed from a small chamber and brought to the sight of hundreds.
The reliquary bust of Saint Agatha is attributed to fourteenth century sculptor Giovanni di Bartolo. It is solid silver.
During the rest of the year, Agatha is kept inside a small chamber in the Cathedral.
The relic above is of the breast of Saint Agatha.
THE PROCESSION
In the weeks leading up to the procession, the streets of Catania begin to flood with people and voices. The Festa begins on February 3rd with the procession of the candelore, which are tall, golden chariots carried by several devoti and accompanied by a band. They contain scenes of Agatha's martyrdom and are adorned with cherubs, lamps, and red, green, and white flags. There are 13 candelore, each of which represent an important trade within the city.
The fercolo or "vara" is a type of coffin used for transport of the relics by the devoti during the festa. It was designed by Italian goldsmith Vincenzo Archifel in 1514. The fercolo is pulled through the streets by the devoti, who carry very long ropes attached to the fercolo. They are bound to the saint as she is bound to them.
On February 4th, the flowers in the fercolo are a red pink to symbolize Agatha's martyrdom, and on the 5th they're white to symbolize her purity and sainthood.
A common detail on a candelora is a cherub with breasts on a plate. Agatha is commonly seen in paintings and sculptures carrying her breasts on a plate, which inspired this popular Catanian desert.
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