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 The celebration begins on February 2, the Virgin Mary Candlemas, with the release of white doves in front of the Church of St Blaise and the raising of St Blaise's flag on Orlando's column. On the feast day, February 3, there's a morning mass to the saint and then a procession of priests and churchgoers file up Stradun bearing reliquaries of the saint and bannersbefore returning to the church. At the church, the banners are swirled and lowered in an intricate display of local technique. It's also an occasion for everyone to show off the lavish traditional costumes and ornaments. Priests spend the day blessing the believers using two intertwined candles around the throat which is believed to prevent throat problems.At dusk, the stained glass windows of St Blaise church blaze with light. Naturally there is a large lunch. The traditional dish is macaroni with meat sauce ('dirty' macaroni) and the special hrostule donuts. Related Pages
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