Feast of Saint Nicholas the Bishop

A patronal feast in the heart of a medieval village

Every year on December 6th, the small village of Venetico Superiore, in the province of Messina, gathers around its protector to celebrate the Feast of Saint Nicholas the Bishop, also known as Saint Nicholas of Bari. This anniversary is the most anticipated moment of the year for the local community: a day where faith, identity, and tradition merge along the streets of the ancient hilltop settlement, dominated by the imposing Spadafora castle.

Saint Nicholas, patron and protector of Venetico

Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, famous for his miracles and charity towards the poor, has been the patron of Venetico Superiore since the village's early centuries. The Mother Church, dedicated to him, dates back to the early 16th century, when the village grew significantly around the castle founded by the Spadafora family. The church houses numerous valuable artworks, including the Adoration of the Magi by Francesco Bonajuto (1532), the painting of the Madonna of the Rosary by the Barcellona-born painter Gaspare Camarda (1605), and a precious reproduction of the Holy Face, granted in 1625 by Pope Urban VIII to the Spadafora family.

The day's program

The festivities begin in the morning with Solemn Mass in the Mother Church, during which the statue of the saint is prepared for the procession. In the afternoon, the litter carrying the statue of Saint Nicholas is carried on the shoulders of devotees through the village's characteristic alleys, accompanied by confraternities, the faithful, and civil authorities.

• Solemn Mass in the Mother Church of Saint Nicholas
• Procession of the statue through the illuminated alleys of Venetico Superiore, from the Mother Church to Piazza Immacolata and along the ancient walls
• Brass band accompanying the procession with sacred hymns and religious marches
• Festive moments and entertainment in the square with the community

A living tradition in the Messina area

The procession winds along a route marked by prayer stations, where litanies are recited and devotional songs are sung. The passage of the statue through the village streets, illuminated for the occasion, renews the deep bond between the town and its patron every year. The Feast of Saint Nicholas is one of the most cherished events in the religious calendar of Venetico, alongside other local celebrations such as the Feast of the Madonna del Carmelo in Venetico Marina and the Feast of the Holy Face.

Venetico and its heritage

Perched on a hill about 227 meters above sea level, Venetico Superiore retains the appearance of an ancient medieval village, with the 15th-century Spadafora castle dominating its skyline. The patronal feast is the perfect opportunity to discover this authentic corner of the province of Messina, in Sicily, where popular devotion remains an integral part of community life.