The Feast Of St Marinus And Republic Day
Celebrated as a national holiday in San Marino, the Feast of St. Marinus and Republic Day is a holiday that serves two purposes. First, it celebrates the anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of San Marino in the 4th century. Second, it honors Saint Marinus, the saint who founded the republic, at least according to local tradition.
San Marino (National holiday)This holiday is observed as a public holiday, so schools, businesses, and non-essential government buildings are closed for the day. It is also a day where there is a mass devoted to the patron saint of this republic, and where there is a procession that carries the relics of Saint Marinus through the streets of the city.
The History of the Feast of St. Marinus & Republic Day
The Republic of San Marino is a landlocked country that is surrounded on all sides by Italy. It is considered to be the smallest republic in the entire world, and also to be one of the oldest existing states in all of Europe. According to the current tradition, San Marino was established by Saint Marinus.
This saint came to this area after he left the island of Arbe. He escaped the Diocletianic Persecution of Christians at the time and settled around Monte Titano. It is there that he constructed a church and established a city—a city that would later become the Republic of San Marino. This day is September 3rd, 301.
Observing the Feast of St. Marinus & Republic Day
In San Marino, this holiday is celebrated with both religious and secular activities. While there are masses and a procession of Saint Marinus’ relics, there are also crossbow events, concerts, and political speeches. There are also parties, plenty of flag-raising ceremonies, and even art exhibitions. It is a day to honor the city-state of San Marino as well as the patron saint of the Republic, Saint Marinus.
San Marino (National holiday)
