Saint Sebastian Festival – January Liturgical Celebration

The winter liturgical feast of Saint Sebastian in Ferla

In the heart of winter, around January 20th, the small village of Ferla, in the province of Syracuse, gathers around its Patron Saint for the liturgical feast of Saint Sebastian. It is the most intimate and devotional occasion on the Iblean calendar, distinct from the grand summer festival in July: here, the focus is not on spectacle, but on the profound depth of popular faith, memory, and the gratitude of an entire community toward the martyr who, according to tradition, saved the town from a devastating plague in the 16th century.

The curruta and the unveiling of the statue

The opening moment of the winter festivities is the curruta, one of Ferla's most heartfelt traditions. On the eve of the feast, amidst the lighting of the oil lamp and the solemn chanting of Vespers, the exquisite 16th-century statue of the Saint is unveiled and removed from its niche to be displayed on the High Altar of the Church of Saint Sebastian, accompanied by the cries, prayers, and invocations of the faithful. It is a ritual of great emotional intensity that marks the beginning of the festive days.

The procession of the relic

Also on the eve of the feast, the relic of the silver arm of Saint Sebastian is carried in procession along the main streets of the town, which are festively illuminated, accompanied by a brass band and a procession of devotees. The day of the feast, January 20th, begins at dawn with the evocative Dawn Mass and the lighting of votive torches, followed by solemn Holy Masses in the morning and evening.

The nudi and popular devotion

At the heart of the Ferla devotion are the nudi, devotees who parade wearing white trousers and, on their bare chests, a red ribbon and the image of the Saint. Their presence, the ex-votos, the torches, and the invocations bear witness to an ancient and deep-rooted cult. Between the flight of the nzareddi—colorful paper streamers—and the sound of fireworks, the community accompanies its Patron with a fervor passed down from generation to generation.

History and identity of a centuries-old cult

The cult of Saint Sebastian in Ferla has its roots in the first half of the 16th century, when—as tradition tells—the town was liberated from a severe plague epidemic through the martyr's intercession. Since then, Saint Sebastian has been venerated as the Patron and protector of the village. The January liturgical feast, held on the day of the anniversary, is the moment when Ferla renews this vow of gratitude. The winter festivities traditionally continue until the end of the month, concluding with the re-veiling of the Saint and an evocative fireworks display of thanksgiving.

An appointment to experience in the Iblean village

Set within the evocative Baroque scenery of Ferla, a municipality in the Iblean Mountains and gateway to the Anapo Valley and the necropolis of Pantalica, the winter feast of Saint Sebastian offers visitors an authentic experience of deep Sicily, far from mass tourism circuits, where liturgy, folklore, and community identity merge into a single great celebration of faith.