Feast of Saint Bartholomew is widely celebrated by the Catholic Church on August 24.
Saint Bartholomew (1st century) was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. His life story contains many inaccuracies and is interspersed with numerous legendary events. His real name is Nathanael, and he received the name Bartholomew as an adult. According to other sources, his name was Jesus, and he was forced to take a different name, according to the unwritten law of Syria.
After the Ascension of Christ, he devoted his life to missionary work and went to India as a preacher, where he left a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. Then his path ran to Greater Armenia (currently — southeastern Turkey), where Bartholomew received recognition for the spread of Christianity and his talent for healing the sick and possessed. There is a local legend in Baku that he was subjected to terrible torture when, while alive, he was skinned and crucified by pagans.
His body was then sent to Lipari (Lipari — is a small island near Sicily), where his remains are located in the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew.
Some phenomena are associated with the name of St. Bartholomew, from a family of miracles that occurred before and after his death. One of the most popular cases is known among residents of Lipari Island. When his body was found ashore, the local church bishop ordered the men to lift the body. When the attempts failed, the bishop sent for the children. And they easily carried the body to land, while adults could not do it.
Since Bartholomew's body was discovered on the island, people have celebrated this event every year. During the holiday, a solid sculpture made of silver or gold was taken out of the cathedral and carried throughout the city. Currently, this event is celebrated on a grand scale, thereby attracting a large number of people to participate.
In Italy — is a folk festival in which masses dedicated to St. Bartholomew are held, traditional games such as tug of war, sack racing, «tree of abundance» (albero della cuccagna) — pole or pole with prizes at the top that you need to get.
On this day, tastings of products produced in different regions of Italy are usually held in the main squares of cities. Every evening, restaurants offer original dishes. Evening performances entertain adults and children. Exhibitions of paintings and sculptures and concerts are also held, and the holiday traditionally ends with a performance by a brass band.