FAITH AND SUPERSTITION
by Carmine Flamminio
Saint Nicholas' procession was held within the old town of Bari. It is a tradition that comes from the time when the fishermen brought to Bari the saint's relics. The statue of the saint as always is accompanied by hundreds of faithful, at the sound of a folk music band.
Saint Nicholas is one of the most revered and beloved saints all over the world. Many nations have claimed the Saint and portrayed him as deemed fit. Despite the differences, how-ever, all have unanimously attributed to St. Nicholas the role of protector of the weak, the defenceless and the unjustly accused. The Saint is also worshipped as patron of young maidens on the threshold of marriage, as well as of sea-farers. However, St. Nicholas is best known and celebrated in western countries as the Patron Saint of children.
