Festa San Giorgio a Ragusa
Peppe Occhipinti su Unsplash
In Ragusa, the celebrations for the Patron Saint San Giogio take place on April 23, on the occasion of the liturgical anniversary, and, traditionally, on the last Sunday of May with large external celebrations.
The Friday before the the procession of the statue of San Giorgio and the Holy Ark takes place up to the Church of Purgatorio, where the Holy Ark is placed, while the statue of San Giorgio is carried up to the church of San Tommaso where it remains for the night. The two simulacra thus remain separated for one night and one day to commemorate the imprisonment inflicted on the Saint during his martyrdom. On Saturday, Saint George takes the Holy Ark back from the church of Purgatory and together they return to the Mother Church.
On the Sunday of the feast day, the "exit" is expected in the afternoon, often preceded by performances by two municipal bands and sometimes even some groups of flag-wavers. Only in this afternoon, which precedes the solemn exit of the Saint, it is possible to admire the true main door of the Church of San Giorgio: entirely built in wood, it has numerous bas-reliefs that narrate the life of the patron saint. Given the delicacy of the work, it is kept inside the dark green door and therefore is not visible.
In the evening, after the traditional Ballad of the Saint during which the Statue of San Giorgio it is hoisted up with outstretched arms and swayed, the procession takes place accompanied by the brotherhoods with the various banners and banners of the Municipality and Province. At Largo Camerina the simulacrum is placed on the cart and together with the ark it moves through the streets of Ragusa Ibla. At the Giardini Iblei the bearers load the Patron on their shoulders leaving the cart, continuing towards Piazza Duomo where, before having placed it in the center of the square for the final barrels, they will make it dance as tradition. The musical fireworks close the celebrations and San Giorgio and the holy Ark are relocated inside the Cathedral.
Dates and Scheduling
17 May 2025
11:00 Press conference on the Patron Saint celebrations at the Circolo di Conversazione.
18 May 2025
10:00 The bells ring out loudly to announce the start of the celebrations.
10:30 Opening of the Charity Fishing at the former Church of Sant'Antonino.
11:00 Eucharistic Celebration with First Communions.
17:30 Traditional “Cena”
Piazza Duomo
18:00 Inauguration of the exhibition “Hope as a Horizon” at the San Vincenzo Ferreri Auditorium.
The exhibition will be open from 18 to 25 May 2025 from 10:00 to 21:00.
Auditorium S. Vincenzo Ferreri
18:30 Holy Rosary.
18:45 Celebration of Vespers.
19:00 Holy Mass.
21:00 “Between art and legend” opening and guided tour of the main door of the Cathedral of San Giorgio and the monumental sacristy by the Novum 1693 Association.
19 May 2025
09:30 Pilgrimage to the cemetery of Ragusa Ibla where the Holy Mass will be celebrated.
18:30 Holy Rosary.
19:00 Eucharistic celebration presided over by Don Filippo Bella with the participation of the parish community of Nunziata di Ragusa.
20 May 2025
18:30 Holy Mass.
19:00 Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Parish Priest Don Giuseppe Antoci with the closing of the Catechetical Year;
followed by games and fraternal agape.
21 May 2025
18:30 Holy Rosary.
19:00 Eucharistic celebration presided over by Don Andrea La Terra with the participation of the parish community of San Giuseppe Artigiano of Ragusa.
19:30 - 22:00 Eucharistic Adoration.
22 May 2025
18:30 Non-competitive Sports Walk II Ed.
Start and finish in Piazza Duomo.
Route of approximately 8 km through the streets and alleys of Ibla.
18:30 Holy Rosary.
19:00 Eucharistic celebration presided over by Don Franco Ottone with the participation of the Parish Community of San Pio X of Ragusa.
At the end of the celebration a relic of Saint Rita will be placed inside the restored Holy Ark.
20:15 Concert in honor of San Giorgio Martire by the polyphonic choir “Enarmonia” directed by M° Dario Adamo.
21:00 Musical lighting of the artistic lights by the cultural association Novum 1693.
Piazza Duomo
21:30 “Between art and legend”
opening and guided tour of the main door of the Cathedral of San Giorgio and the Cathedral museum by the Novum 1693 Association.
23 May 2025
10:00 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration and confessions.
12:00 Eucharistic Blessing.
17:30 Holy Rosary.
18:00 Eucharistic celebration animated by the youth and very young group of A.C. with the participation of the bearers of the simulacrum of the Patron Saint George.
19:00 Procession with the statue of Saint George and the Holy Ark.
21:30 “RADIO FRECCIA” Ligabue Tribute Band.
Piazza Duomo
24 May 2025
09:00 Eucharistic Celebration at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle.
Chiesa di S. Tommaso Apostolo
10:00 - 12:30 The Church of St. Thomas the Apostle will remain open for personal prayer to the Glorious Martyr St. George.
Chiesa di S. Tommaso Apostolo
17:30 Holy Rosary in the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle and in the Church of the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
18:00 Eucharistic Celebration at the Church of the Holy Souls of Purgatory, presided over by Don Corrado Garozzo.
Chiesa SS. Anime del Purgatorio
18:00 Eucharistic Celebration at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, presided over by the Parish Priest Giuseppe Antoci.
Chiesa di S. Tommaso Apostolo
19:00 Procession with the statue of Saint George and the Holy Ark.
21:00 Return of the simulacrum with a fireworks show.
21:30 LUCA MADONIA in concert, tribute to Franco Battiato.
Piazza Duomo
25 May 2025
09:00 Festive ringing of bells and firing of cannon shots.
10:30 Performance by the “San Giorgio - Città di Ragusa” band, through the streets of the historic center.
10:30 Eucharistic Celebration at the Mother Church of San Giorgio.
Duomo di San Giorgio
12:00 Festive ringing of bells and firing of cannon shots.
12:00 Eucharistic Celebration at the Mother Church of San Giorgio.
17:00 Performance of the bands “San Giorgio - Città di Ragusa”, directed by M° Antonio Palermo and “Vito Cutello” from Chiaramonte Gulfi directed by M° Paolo Scollo.
17:15 Holy Rosary at the Mother Church of San Giorgio.
17:30 “Tamburi di Giarratana” parade starting from the Iblei Gardens along the streets of the historic center.
18:00 Solemn Pontifical presided over by His Excellency the Most Reverend Monsignor Giuseppa La Placa, Bishop of Ragusa, animated by the parish Schola Cantorum, directed by Salvatore Tribastone, with Maestro Luca Occhipinti on the organ.
The civil and military authorities of the city and province will participate.
19:30 Solemn procession with the statue of Saint George and the Holy Ark.
21:00 Fireworks show.
Giardino Ibleo
23:00
Immersive Video Mapping Show;
Pyromusical Show.
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References
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