- Title: ITALY: CROWDS WITNESS SAN GENNARO "MIRACLE" CEREMONY
- Date: 19th September 1971
- Summary: 1. LV Exterior Naples Cathedral 0.08 2. MV Statue of Saint Januarius carried in procession 0.29 3. MV Cardinal Ursi displaying blood 0.35 4. CV Women praying 0.38 5. MV Cardinal showing phial 0.46 6. CV Man kissing phial 0.50 7. CV Women watching" 0.53 8. MV Cardinal letting congregation see phial 1.07 9. LV Congregation 1.09 10. CV People kissing phial 1.20 11. CV Woman praying 1.25 12. CV Statue of Januarius 1.28 Initials OS/209 OS/247 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 4th October 1971 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NAPLES: ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Reuters ID: LVA5WIG919KB21JKU3V7DBL8L4TP
- Story Text: A packed congregation at Naples Cathedral on Sunday (19 Sept) witnessed the regular "miracle" ceremony of San Gennaro. A religious relic reputed to be the congealed blood of Naples' Fourth Century patron saint, Januarius, is the centre of attention at least twice a year when it is said to liquify. The Bishop of Benevento near Naples, Januarius was beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian at Pozzuoli. The saint's relics are said to have been removed to Naples' Duomo Cathedral, with two phials of his blood collected by a poor woman who witnessed his martyrdom. Several times a year the "miracle" of the liquification of his congealed blood takes place when the phials are placed on the altar where the relics lie and a prayer is said over them. After an indefinite period the blood is said to liquify and bubble up. On each occasion, especially his feastday (19th Sept) a large crowd gathers to witness the ceremony, headed by a group of elderly ladies known locally as "le Zie Di San Gennaro"....the aunts of St Januarius. Sunday's service was celebrated by the Archbishop of Naples, Cardinal Corrado Ursi.
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