Figure 1.--The festival of St. Efisio is Sardinia's most important event. It is both a religious and secular festival. It is celebrated May 1-4 in Cagliari, the major Sardinian town. During the festival the deputations of Sardinian towns and villages go through the streets wearing the traditional costumes. The photo shows a child of Cabras. Bare feet are regarded as an essential component of the traditional costume of this coastal village.

Another interesting festival is the festival of St. Efisio. This is Sardinia's most important event. It is both a religious and secular festival. Sardinians have held the festival since 1656 on the streets of Cagliari to honor St. Efisio. Sardinia celebrates the Sagra di San Efisio or the Festival of Saint Efisio in Cagliari, Italy, May 1-4 every year. There is a colorful parade and a myriad cultural activities. One important event involves the Palio at the Ippodromo del Poetto (Poet’s Hippodrome) (Masy 2). This id followeed by a memorable concert for Peace. The statue of Saint Efisio is carried from the Sant’Efisio Church by the pilgrims and the citizens in a procession to Nora. And the statue is taken back to the Church (May 4). Saint Efisius was a Roman emissary and an important Romsan military commander. The Emperor Diocletian lsaunched the last major effort to suopress Chritianity. He ordered Efisius to supress the Christians who had come to dominte Sardinia (3rd century A.D.). While at sea, Almost like Constantine, Efisius saw a cross in the sky and heard the God speaking to him. God commanded him to do His work on Sardinia. Efisius was shocked, but when he arrived in Sardinia he proceeded to do God's work, not the Emperor's. Diocletian orfered him to stop, but Efisius not only did not supress the Christians, but ctively spread the Word of God. Diocletian’s successor, Flavian was outraged and ordered the arrest of Efisius. Efisius prayed and asked God that he might be allowed to intervene and protect the city from evil and its enemies. He pleaded with God to grant every prayer within the city walls. Flavian had Efisius imprisoned in Cagliari. Efisius because of his popularity was sectrely moved to the coast of Cagliari. There a Roman soldier beheaded him on the beach at Nora (303). The story demonstrates why by the time of Diocletian that it was no longer to supress the Christians. They were so widely present in the Imperial beureatcracy and army that the Empire coukld not function without them and Emperor's could not be sure there orders coukld even be carried out. With the legalization of Christianity under Coinstatune, the people of Cagliari began to opely honor Efisius. Eventually he wa canonized by the Church. He became the patron saint and the protector of the city. Sardinia was affected by a devestatig plague (1652). the people of Sardinia souught the intervention of their martyred saint. The church in Cagliari was dedicated to him and his place of imprisonment became a spiritual shrine. A small church was built to mark the place where Efisius was executed. Thousads of Sardinians dress up 16th and 17th century costumes to participate in the proicession an other events. The costumes are based on when te festival was fiest celebrated and not the Roman times of Saint Efisus. The processionists accompanying the statue of the saint on foot, as well as with horses and carts.

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Created: 4:25 AM 1/10/2010
Last updated: 4:25 AM 1/10/2010