2011 Feast of Santa Fermina, Patron Saint of Amelia

Santa Fermina was born in Rome in the 272 AD, daughter of Calpurnio Pisone, prefect of the Eternal City. Converted to Christianity in her early age, at 15 years old she had to flee to escape the persecution of Christians by the Emperors Diocleziano and Massimiano. She sailed along the Tiber to arrive at Centumcellae (modern Civitavecchia). While browsing the ship encountered a violent storm, and legend has it that she was, kneeling and praying to God, to calm it down. The sailors who witnessed the miracle state immediately she was a Saint, protector of sailors. And Patron Saint of Civitavecchia.

A Centumcellae remained two years in a cave, that bears his name (where now stands Forte Michelangelo), and preached the Gospel in the port.
Once she get back on the road, arrived at Amelia (TR), precisely in Luchiano, where she was surprised by persecution and was martyred. His faith was so unshakable that converted one of his executioners, Olimpiade, which will also become himself Patron Saint of Amelia. She died November 24th, 304, and his remains were first buried in secret by the Christians of Amelia, then gathered in 870 and placed in the Cathedral on the Amerini hills. On April 28th, 1647 the Bishop of Amelia donated some relics to the Cathedral Church of Civitavecchia, and since then the Lazio port is celebrated this day every year.

Even today, thanks to Fermina, Amelia and Civitavecchia are twinned, and every year, through the S. Fermina's relay races, 107 km, Amelia - Civitavecchia (April 28th) and Civitavecchia - Amelia (November 24th) will "exchange" the torch that lit the votive candles.

The solemn ceremony of the "Pesatura ed offerta dei ceri alla Santa" ("weighing and offering of the candles to the Saint") will start at 17:00 at the Cathedral, following the ancient statutes of the fourteenth century: the Mayors of the Communes of the ancient Diocese will offer as candles of many ounces as are the "fochi", the families of their Castles; historical parade in fourteenth-century clothing; the runners relay of the 21st St. Fermina Civitavecchia - Amelia relay race will be welcomed and escorted from Orte by vintage transports.

For further informations, you can visit the website of the Municipality of Amelia: comune.amelia.tr.it;
of Amelia IAT , Phone +39 0744981453.