Fire Rituals - 'Ntosse, 'Ndocce and Intusse

On December 20, 2025, at 4:30 PM, the hamlet of Santo Stefano di Sante Marie (L'Aquila) hosted the edition of the 'ntosse, a central moment of the municipal Christmas program. The fire ritual ideally united the torches of various Apennine communities, in line with the candidacy of fire rituals as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the evening, at 6:30 PM, the day continued at the Church of the Sacred Heart with a Christian formation meeting led by the Bishop of the Diocese of Marsi, Monsignor Giovanni Massaro, followed by a social gathering at the Don Beniamino hall. The event was part of a rich Christmas program that, in the following days, featured Santa's village, a living nativity scene, concerts, and the arrival of the Befana.