Feast of San Filippo d'Agira

One of the most heartfelt patronal feasts in the Peloritani mountains

The Feast of San Filippo d'Agira is the main religious and popular celebration in Limina, a small village nestled in the Peloritani mountains in the province of Messina, Sicily. Dedicated to the patron saint commonly known as the Black Saint—a Syrian monk who lived in Sicily in the 4th century and is highly venerated throughout the island—the festival has marked the spring season for the Liminese community for centuries, drawing numerous emigrants and visitors from neighboring towns back to the village.

May 11th and 12th: The race to Passo Murazzo

The heart of the festivities takes place on May 11th. In the morning, the saint's statue is carried in procession through the town streets; in the afternoon, the most evocative moment begins, as the float is carried at a brisk run by the bearers to the Passo Murazzo area, where the Sanctuary of San Filippo stands, about six kilometers from the village. The statue is then carried back to the village on shoulders, supported by a cart pushed by women and children. On May 12th, the festivities conclude in the evening with the solemn return of San Filippo to the Mother Church of San Sebastiano Martire.

The Octave: The re-enactment of the miracles

The most characteristic and awaited moment, however, is the Octave, once celebrated on May 19th and now moved to the third Sunday of May. The morning features a solemn Holy Mass followed by a procession that departs from the Church of San Filippo and returns to the Mother Church. In the afternoon, the so-called re-enactment of the miracles takes place, involving the pursuit and casting out of the devils, with the float carried at a run toward the Calvary and the Durbi district, the two extreme points of the village. The day closes with the traditional circuits, a procession toward the districts, and a fireworks display.

Traditions, music, and side events

Alongside the religious rites, the festival is enriched by a calendar of side events: musical performances, a brass band, tastings of local products, and social gatherings that bring the village streets to life. Devotion to the Black Saint is also renewed in the summer: on August 16th, a second celebration is held, established for emigrants who return to Limina every year during the summer period.

A village to discover

Visiting Limina during the Feast of San Filippo d'Agira means immersing yourself in authentic Sicilian popular religiosity, amidst faith, folklore, and community identity. The Municipality of Limina, set in the Peloritani mountains a short distance from the Ionian coast of Messina, offers the chance to discover an hinterland that is often little-known but rich in traditions.