Saints Cosmas and Damian Festival

A celebration of faith and folklore in the heart of Carini

The Saints Cosmas and Damian Festival is one of the most heartfelt events in the religious and popular calendar of Carini, a town in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, Sicily. Celebrated annually in early October, usually around the first or second Sunday of the month, it draws devotees, families, and curious visitors alike, all captivated by a ritual that weaves together spirituality, tradition, and spectacle.

The physician saints, the "anargyroi"

Cosmas and Damian, traditionally twin brothers of Arab origin, are venerated as physician saints: they practiced medicine without ever asking for payment, earning them the title of "anargyroi", or "money-less ones." Martyred under Emperor Diocletian, they are invoked today as the patrons of doctors and pharmacists. In Carini, their statues are housed in the Church of Maria SS. del Carmine, the starting point for the solemn procession.

Festival traditions

The main day begins at dawn with the alborata, around 8:00 AM, signaling the start of the festivities to the town. Religious celebrations continue throughout the day until the most anticipated moment: the evening procession, around 9:00 PM, during which the statues of the saints are carried through the town streets amidst prayers, hymns, and solemn music.

• The "ballate": the traditional rhythmic movements performed by the statue bearers, a moment of intense popular participation;
• The fountain run: before returning to the church, the statues perform a spectacular run around the Piazza Duomo fountain, a climactic and defining gesture of the festival;
• Fireworks display: the pyrotechnic show in Piazza Duomo brings the day's celebrations to a close.

Children and community

In recent years, the festival has been enriched by the involvement of the youngest members of the community: children from the parishes of Carini and Sferracavallo march in procession with a miniature vara (float) of Saints Cosmas and Damian, crafted by local youth. The "V. Bellini" Musical Band of Carini accompanies the parades, making the festival a vital occasion for passing traditions down through the generations.

An experience to cherish

Between devotion, music, folklore, and the warmth of the community, the Saints Cosmas and Damian Festival offers visitors an authentic glimpse into Sicilian popular religiosity. The celebrations take place in the historic center of Carini, between the Church of Maria SS. del Carmine and Piazza Duomo, the town's beating heart.