Antenna Sud

A long applause accompained the boarding of St Nicholas’statue on the motor trawler which has his name. Few moments before, Bari and Bitonto’s archbishop, Monsignor Francesco Cacucci had renewed the rite of the Holy Manna’s shedding into the sea. The day that with the others reminds the remains’ translation of Myra’s Bishop already considered saint when alive, started very early: at 4.30am, in basilica, a Saint Mass every hour till 01.00pm. Antenna Sud broadcast live the first ceremony in streaming on www.antennasud.com site. Therefore, traditionally swinging, the Saint’s statue was brought in procession along Bari Vecchia and Centro Murattiano’s main streets. Many were the pelgrims following it, included those who came from Russia and from many Italian regions. The solemn celebration was before the Barion, of which many complained: only the authorities, few VIP and the musical band were allowed under the stand used as the altar; common people and pelgrims were kept at a proper distance by the barriers and by a too severe and excessive security. Monsignor Cacucci, in the homily, underlined the gratuitousness of St Nicholas’ life and his miraculous deeds and showed the testimony of Myra’s bishop as an example for everybody.