Feast of Saint George the Martyr

Saint George, Patron Saint of Dorio

In the small municipality of Dorio, overlooking the upper Lake Como in the province of Lecco, Saint George the Martyr is the patron saint, celebrated around April 23rd, his liturgical date. The festival, organized by the parish community, spans several days around the last weekend of April and represents the village's identity event.

Several Days of Celebrations

The schedule alternates between spiritual moments and popular traditions. It begins with the recitation of the rosary and continues with a historical conference dedicated to the figure of Saint George – from his iconography, from Russian icons to the great masters of painting. This is followed by community prayer, a procession, and an evening bonfire, leading up to the festival Sunday with the procession, the solemn Holy Mass, the lighting of the Phalum, and the characteristic auction of baskets. The celebrations conclude with the rosary at the cemetery and a Mass in suffrage of the deceased.

The Village Traditions

The auction of baskets – a charity auction of baskets and products offered by the community – and the bonfire are among the most characteristic elements of the festival, accompanied by the music of the local band. These are rites that tell the identity of a mountain community, where the patronal feast is still a moment of strong gathering.

A Village on the Lake

Dorio is one of the northernmost municipalities on the Lecco side of Lake Como, bordering Valtellina. The feast of Saint George, with its blend of sacred and popular, is the best occasion to discover this tranquil corner of the province of Lecco.