Patronal Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

The patronal feast of San Marco in Lamis

The Patronal Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist is the most cherished event in the calendar of San Marco in Lamis, a town in the Gargano area in the province of Foggia, in the heart of Apulia. Every year, around April 25th, the liturgical day of the Evangelist, the community gathers around its patron saint for a three-day celebration that blends religious, secular, and popular traditions.

The event is organized by the Saint Mark the Evangelist Festival Committee in collaboration with the Municipal Administration, under the city's patronage. It is more than just a devotional recurrence: the festival is a moment of collective identity that highlights the figure of the Saint and the surrounding Gargano National Park.

Religious celebrations

The beating heart of the festival is the religious program. In the days leading up to April 25th, the Collegiate Church hosts a preparatory path, marked daily by the Rosary and Eucharistic celebrations, with moments of reflection led by local clergy. The solemn day begins with morning Holy Masses and culminates in the concelebration presided over by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino.

The most anticipated moment is the procession of the relics of Saint Mark, which winds through the streets and alleys of the historic center, adorned with lights and decorations, accompanied by a brass band and numerous faithful. The 18th-century statue of the Saint, of the Neapolitan school, is kept in the Church of the SS. Annunziata and is the object of great popular devotion.

Secular program

Alongside the religious rites, a rich and varied secular program brings the town's squares and streets to life:

• Artistic illuminations lighting up the main street and the historic center;
• Brass band concerts and live musical performances;
• Fireworks displays closing the festive evenings;
• Markets and food stalls with typical products from the Gargano and the Apulian tradition;
• Local craft exhibitions and family activities.

A distinctive element of recent editions is the "Sign of Hope" Award ceremony, a recognition given to individuals who have distinguished themselves for the good of the community, held in the atrium of the new Town Hall.

San Marco in Lamis and the Gargano

Nestled in a valley of the Gargano, San Marco in Lamis is also known for the ancient tradition of the Fracchie on Good Friday. The spring Patronal Feast represents a second major gathering, capable of drawing emigrants and visitors back to the town, amidst spirituality, nature, and the authentic flavors of the Gargano region of Apulia.