Feast of Saint Sebastian the Martyr — Co-patron Saint of Syracuse
The celebration of Syracuse's co-patron saint, blending faith and tradition in the heart of Ortigia
About Feast of Saint Sebastian
A festival that tells the story of Syracuse's identity
The Feast of Saint Sebastian the Martyr is one of the most deeply felt religious and popular events in the Syracusan calendar. Saint Sebastian is the co-patron of the city of Syracuse, venerated alongside the patron saint, Saint Lucy. Every January, the festivities bring together faithful, confraternities, civil and military authorities, and thousands of citizens in the heart of Ortigia, the island that forms the historic center of the city in south-eastern Sicily.
Rituals and tradition
Celebrations take place at the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia, overlooking Piazza Duomo, where the precious statue of the Saint is kept. The festival begins with gestures passed down through generations: the firing of cannons, the opening of the niche revealing the statue, a theatrical performance on the martyr's life, and the translation of the statue to the high altar. Throughout the festival, daily Eucharistic celebrations are held, presided over by the Archbishop of Syracuse and ecclesiastical authorities.
The procession through the streets of Ortigia
The highlight is the solemn procession of the venerated statue through the streets of the historic center. The religious pageant winds through the characteristic streets of Ortigia, past ancient Baroque palaces and alleys overlooking the sea, passing by the chapel of Saint Sebastian at Porta Marina. The procession is accompanied by local marching bands and concludes in Piazza Duomo, in front of the Cathedral, with the traditional auction of gifts offered to the Saint—a highly participatory moment linked to the community's charitable initiatives.
Faith, community, and heritage
More than just a liturgical recurrence, the festival is an occasion for the Syracusan community to reaffirm its identity and connection to its roots. Set within the monumental context of Ortigia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the celebration of the co-patron of Syracuse represents one of the most authentic expressions of popular religiosity in Sicily, where the sacred and tradition have intertwined for centuries within the urban fabric of the city.
Feast of Saint Sebastian — edition 2026
2026 Edition — «Fidem servavi»
The festivities for the co-patron of Syracuse opened on Saturday, January 17 at 4:30 PM with the firing of twenty cannon shots, followed by a performance on the life of Saint Sebastian at the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia, the opening of the niche containing the statue, and its translation to the high altar.
On January 20, the day of the liturgical feast, a solemn Eucharistic celebration was held, presided over by the Archbishop of Syracuse, Monsignor Francesco Lomanto, in the presence of civil and military authorities. On Saturday, January 24, the reliquary of Our Lady of Tears was welcomed at the chapel of Saint Sebastian at Porta Marina.
The highlight occurred on Sunday, January 25: after the Eucharistic celebration, at 5:00 PM, the venerated statue emerged in a solemn procession through the streets of Ortigia, arriving at Piazza Duomo for the traditional auction of gifts and the closing of the niche.
Programme Feast of Saint Sebastian 2026
- Saturday, January 17 — 4:30 PM: 20 cannon shots; 5:00 PM: performance on the life of Saint Sebastian and opening of the niche (Santa Lucia alla Badia); 6:00 PM: translation of the statue to the high altar and Eucharistic celebration.
- Sunday, January 18 — Inauguration of an exhibition of tableaux vivants on the life of the Saint at the Parlatorio delle Monache.
- Tuesday, January 20 (Liturgical feast) — 10:00 AM: Parade of the Municipal Police; 10:30 AM: Solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Archbishop Monsignor Francesco Lomanto.
- Saturday, January 24 — 5:30 PM: Welcoming of the reliquary of Our Lady of Tears at the chapel of Saint Sebastian at Porta Marina and short procession to the Badia.
- Sunday, January 25 — 11:30 AM: Eucharistic celebration; 5:00 PM: Departure and solemn procession of the statue through the streets of Ortigia, arrival at Piazza Duomo, auction of gifts, and closing of the niche.
Highlights Feast of Saint Sebastian 2026
Prices Feast of Saint Sebastian 2026
Practical information — Feast of Saint Sebastian
Where
Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia, Piazza Duomo, in the Ortigia district (historic center of Syracuse). The procession winds through the streets of the historic center.
When
In the second half of January, with the liturgical feast on January 20th and the solemn procession on the following Sunday.
How to get there
By train: Syracuse station, about 1.5 km from Ortigia. By car: A18/SS114 motorway; Ortigia is largely a restricted traffic zone (ZTL), so parking outside the island is recommended. By plane: Catania Fontanarossa Airport, about 60 km away.
Admission
Free event, open to all.
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Where does it take place — Feast of Saint Sebastian
Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia, Ortigia