Pozzolengo Artillerymen Celebrate Saint Barbara with Traditional Festivities

Great celebration for the artillerymen of the Pozzolengo section, who today, December 3rd, commemorate the feast of Santa Barbara, whose feast day is traditionally observed tomorrow.

It is not very clear how the saint from Nicomedia, martyred in 200 A.D., became the patroness of those who work with fire or handle explosives.

The most accepted hypothesis is that her executioner – the saint’s father, who supposedly did not forgive her for converting to Christianity – after committing the heinous crime (cutting off his daughter’s head, according to legend), tried to flee in horror, but was struck by lightning and incinerated, with the wind dispersing his remains.

Patronages and symbolism

For centuries, Saint Barbara of Nicomedia has been the patroness of artillerymen, sappers, sailors, miners, firefighters, and bomb disposal experts.

And the term “santabarbara” has entered common usage to refer to an ammunition depot.

Program for the December 3rd celebration

Now, let’s talk about the traditional celebration on December 3rd. As usual, the program is simple, involving the gathering of artillerymen at 10 a.m.; followed by a parade through the town streets and the laying of a laurel wreath at the war memorial.

At 11 a.m., a mass will be celebrated at the parish church in memory of the fallen and the deceased.

At 12:30 p.m., the inevitable lunch at the restaurant «La Muraglia».