Saint Sophia Festival

The 2025 edition

In 2025, the Saint Sophia Festival once again marked the calendar of Sortino from September 8th to 17th, culminating on September 10th. The Iblei town, in the province of Syracuse, experienced the traditional sciuta of the Vare with the relics and the statue of the patron saint from the Church of Saint Sophia, welcomed in the square by firecrackers, the ringing of sacred bells, and musical marches.

The day was opened by the Solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Syracuse, Monsignor Francesco Lomanto, and continued with the presentation of children to the Saint and the evocative auction of gifts offered by the faithful. The evenings offered folk and musical performances, entertainment in the square, food stalls, and the traditional fireworks displays. On September 17th, the third procession closed the festivities by crossing the town's more recent neighborhoods.

Structure of the 2025 festivities, according to Sortino tradition:

• September 8th — afternoon: Exposition of the Saint Sophia statue.
• September 9th — at dawn: pilgrimage to the "a rrassu" rock hermitage.
• September 10th — Solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Syracuse, Msgr. Francesco Lomanto; sciuta of the Vare with relics and statue from the Church of Saint Sophia; procession, presentation of children, auction of gifts; parades by brass bands and the Tamburi di Cassaro; evening fireworks in Piazza Santa Sofia.
• September 17th — third procession in the city's more recent neighborhoods.