The Ancient Festivities of St. Mark in Atina in the 18th Century

In the heart of the Comino Valley, Atina has always cherished its religious traditions with deep devotion. Among these, the celebrations in honor of its patron saint, St. Mark, on April 28, and those dedicated to St. Secondinus, on May 16, were, in the eighteenth century, the most anticipated events of the year. The patronal feasts were not only manifestations of faith but also occasions of great popular participation, when the entire community, supported by the Confraternity, came together to offer solemn and evocative spectacles.

From the very first days of the year, the Chapel of St. Mark became the focal point of preparations. Small restorations and maintenance works were carried out: the organ was tuned and repaired, damages fixed, candlesticks and lamps cleaned, the roof and masonry restored. Every detail was carefully looked after, for nothing could be lacking in such heartfelt celebrations.

Eight afternoons, eight nights, eight dawns: for more than a week, the whole of Atina gathered before the statue of its patron. It was a time marked by both sorrow and renewal, by emotion and hope. The same ritual, unchanged for centuries, was renewed with intensity: flickering lights, fresh flowers, vibrant colors, sweet and moving melodies accompanied the people in a collective participation.

The Collegiate Church, a destination for pilgrims, filled with the faithful not only from nearby villages but also from more distant lands, many of whom brought goods and products to trade during the festivities. The crowd was so large that the friars of St. Francis, tireless and vigilant custodians, kept watch over the church day and night, ensuring order and reverence.

The religious functions had a solemn tone. The sung mass was accompanied by an organist cleric, while the violin and the soprano’s voice often came from Casalvieri, adding a touch of musical refinement to Atina. The beginning of the procession was one of the most emotional moments: the statue of St. Mark leaving the chapel was an event charged with expectation and devotion. The martyr’s face immediately caught every gaze, stirring profound emotion in all present.

The procession wound slowly through the streets of the town, accompanied by the music of bands from Arpino, Aquino, or Anagni. The musicians, welcomed guests, were hosted at the community’s expense and generously provided with meals by the Franciscan friars of the convent. Menus, recorded in chronicles, tell of the abundance of those days: macaroni or gnocchetti with sauce, meat, sea fish or trout from the Melfa river, seasonal vegetables such as peas, fennel, salad, artichokes, and broad beans; all accompanied by fresh bread, fruit, local wine, and plenty of brandy.

The statue of the patron, dressed in a sumptuous red velvet mantle, was carried on the shoulders of the young men of the community, a sign of prestige and devotion. The women of the people, especially devoted, opened and closed the procession with touching participation, creating a scene of profound spirituality. The entrance of the statue into the Collegiate Church marked the climax of the celebration: to the cadenced rhythm of the music, in an almost obsessive and ritual movement, the procession ended in an atmosphere charged with emotion.

The feast, however, was not limited to religious events. During the day, the town came alive with games, competitions of skill, and moments of leisure that involved both young and old, much as happens in modern patronal festivals. The chronicles recount a remarkable episode: in 1743, a temporary theater was even built, made of canvas, branches, and timber—a sign of the cultural vitality and creativity of the Atina community.

The celebrations of St. Mark in Atina in the eighteenth century were therefore a unique intertwining of faith, tradition, and social life. Solemn moments alternated with conviviality and spectacle, transforming the town into an open-air stage where religion and daily life blended into a collective memory destined to endure through the centuries.