Numerous religious festivals take place in Italy throughout the year. The municipality of S.Arpino celebrates S. Elpidio Vescovo, Protector Saint whose vulgarised name gives the name to the town, in May and July.According to the legend, S. Elpidio was one of the twelve Bishops who, chased from Mauritania in the V century. d.C., arrived on the shores of Campania scattering in various towns.
He stopped in Atella, which was then seat of the Diocese, becoming its Bishop. He died here, but in the VIII century his body was moved to the Salerno cathedral, in Campania.
Numerous miracles were ascribed to the Saint and the power to protect from earthquakes. This consideration is born of the fact that S.Arpino, in the course of the centuries, has never been subjected to great damage caused by the seism. In fact, the real defence from telluric upheavals comes from the numerous underground cavities that are typical of the territory's that mitigate the effects of the earthquake.
S.Elpidio is celebrated twice a year: the 24th of May, the day of the moving of the body, and in the third week of July. For the summer festival all the houses light up, and the Statue is walked around the whole town, with singing as an accompaniment.
For information click on: http://www.atella.net/
E-mail: santarpino@atella.net
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