Event Details |
Saint August (Sant'Agostino)
00/t /Augu
Saint August (Sant'Agostino)
Abbasanta, Saint August Feast
This saint is celebrated in many Sardinian towns: Cagliari, Abbasanta, Alà dei Sardi, Belvì, Alghero, Elini, Nurachi, Pauli Arbarei, and Sindia.
On August 28th the saint is celebrated in Cagliari's church called Sant' August found in the neighbourhood called Marina, with religious functions, concerts and conventions with Agostino as focus of attention. The church, built around 1577, symbolizes one of the rarest renaissance examples of architecture in Sardinia. The remains of the saint were found in a place called ”Palazzo Accardo”, in the crypt, between 504 and 722 B.C., which can be reached by a small set of stairs leading from the street called “Largo Carlo Felice”.
From the 17th to the 28th of August, Abbasanta creates one of the most important festivals dedicated to this saint. The program is full of very articulate celebrations which include a religious aspect which is held in a small country church about seven kilometres from the town. The most noteworthy moments are found in the church services and the sacred procession that are accompanied by the songs of the “gosos” - ancient holy hymns in honour of the saint. The more public aspect of the festival is characterized by traditional folkloristic dances, singing by “tenors”, guitars, and poetry competitions in the Sardinian language called “Sardo” as well as the horses called “Sas Pariglias de Santu Austinu”.
Theologian, philosopher, mystic, and doctor of the church, Augustino still represents one of today's most read and researched authors. The saint, born to a pagan father and Christian mother on November 13th, 354 in Tagaste, Numidia, transferred to Carthage to study rhetorical principles, and lead a dissolute youth. After having followed Manicheismo for a certain period of time, he discovered his vocation of philosophy in Rome where he taught rhetoric and philosophy. From there August moved to Milan where he became fascinated by the teaching of Bishop Ambrogio and consequently converted to Christianity in 385. He was baptized between April 24th and 25th of 386. He then returned to Numidia and became Bishop of Ippona. He fought for a long time against the doctrines of the donatisti and the pelagiani. He died on August 28th, 430. His remains were taken from the Vandals and transported to Bishop Fulgenzio of Ruspe in Cagliari between the years of 504 and 517. In 725 his remains were transfered to The Church of San Pietro in the Golden Sky in Pavia by the Longobardo king Liutprando, to protect them from Saracen plunders, and can still be found today.
* MUNICIPALITIES
o Alghero
o Cagliari
o Nurachi
o Belvi'
o Sindia
o Elini
o Abbasanta
o Pauli Arbarei
o Ala' Dei Sardi
*
HISTORICAL TERRITORIES
o Nurra
o Nuorese
o Planargia
o Oristanese
o Barigadu
o Marmilla
o Gennargentu
o Ogliastra
o Campidano di Cagliari
* TO SEE
* Sardegna 3D
