Santa Cristina in Sepino and the night of the bells

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Bells ringing all night long for St. Christina

The festivities for the patron saints of countries are always deeply felt by the people. Sometimes they become so big that they attract people and tourists even from neighboring towns if not from other regions to the point of returning those who were born there but live abroad.

St. Christina in Sepino is one such tradition. An almost millennial recurrence having begun in 1099, St. Christina’s presence in Sepino is owed to two pilgrims who arrived here with the Saint’s relics. They were on their way to the Holy Land and, traveling along the Via Francigena, arrived in Bolsena, where the cult toward Christina was felt. These approached the tomb and began to desire to steal her body. They then set out for Apulia in order to embark but no ship was sailing. They were therefore forced to turn back reaching, by chance, Sepino. From here they could no longer move the saddlebag with the relics until the population vowed to dedicate three feasts to the Saint.

Only then was it possible to move the body to the church, on January 10, 1099. The relics were later donated to the Bishop of Palermo, and only that of the one arm remained in Sepino.

The night of the bells

The first days of the year in Sepino are very busy with preparations as the festival, which takes place Jan. 9 and 10, has a busy schedule.

It begins with the Administration’s gift of“cartoccio” (full of sweets) and a candle to all the boys and girls. We then go to the church for religious services by being exposed to the relic of St. Christine. Then the drawing of lots takes place to determine the shifts of those who, throughout the night, will take turns on the bell tower to manually ring the bells. This draw is also used to define the groups that will carry the statue and canopy during the processions.

The bells begin their dance and the chimes resound throughout the night in the surrounding alleys and countryside.

January 10 is the main feast day called “intratio” during which the translation of the body from the hospice of St. Nicholas to the Church of the Holy Savior is commemorated. On this day, for those who confess, there is apartial indulgence that was granted by Pope Clement XII. At the end of the celebration there is a procession to the Canala district.