Tag Archives: Catholic Church

Travel

San Sebastian, Spain

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By Judy J. Pinegar  Pictures by John J. O’Dell

Upon arriving in San Sebastian by bus from the airport, we quickly found our lodgings in the Parte Vieja (old city). A quick walk and we were at the shell shaped beach, Bahia de la Concha, lots of  boats docks and shipyards were to the right and to the left the beach and the newer part of the city. The City Hall was a very conspicuous building in the middle (formerly a gambling hall that went out of business when they changed the laws to disallow gambling)! Then a garden of strange trees, which we learned were imported from Paris.

Quite near or lodgings we found a baroque style church, Saint Mary of Assumtion,  that was built in the second half of the 18th century. This was the third church built on this site. The first of Roman style was built about the middle of the 12th century, the second, Basque Gothic style in the middle of the 16th century.

Both earlier sites were burnt down due to fires from the surrounding area as well as military attacks, as it was located directly below the Castle or Urgull, a military fort. The exterior shows a magnificent rococo style facade.  In the interior, the main alter was by Diego de Villanueva and above is the large painting of the martyrdom of St Sebastian. Other alters include Our Lady of Solitude and St Catherine.

On the side in the back was The Chapel of Christ of Peace and Patience with a 16th century statue of Christ which used to be at the gates to the city.

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History, Travel

Feast of the Serpari (Snake Festival) in Italy (Part Three – the Roman Catholic Twist – Still Celebrated Today)

Saint Domenic is draped in snakes
Saint Domenic is draped in snakes

By Judy Pinegar

But along came the Roman Catholic Church, who could not approve of such paganism, so we now have the Festival of Saint Dominic (who is the patron saint of the town of Cocullo). Saint Dominic is of course known for many other things, the greatest of which was founding the Dominican order within the Catholic Church. However this legend has the village fields overrun with snakes, and when Saint Dominic cleared the fields of snakes the villagers of Cocullo came up with a lasting show of gratitude, where the effigy of Saint Domenic is draped in snakes and paraded around in May of each year, also known as the Feast of the Serpari. The snakes are primarily of the local variety, four-lined aesculapian, grass and green whip snakes, and are released into the fields at the end of the day. (Humm, I guess we need Saint Dominic to come back and clear the fields again!)

But on feast day the statue is draped in snakes and carried around the town, while many people also allow themselves to be draped with snakes as well. Of course the snakes are all non-poisonous, or have had their fangs removed, but this is not a festival for the faint of heart or anyone with a snake phobia! The festival is held to seek the Saint’s protection from snake bite.

It is believed that the snakes, once on the statue can predict the future. The people in attendance watch the snake behavior carefully. According to custom, if the snakes wind around the head of the statue it is a good sign. But if they go in the direction of the arms or body something bad is ahead.

This is a video of the current day celebration

 

 

Judy Pinegar is a writer. Part of this three part series appeared in the Corriere della Valle Magazine

 

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