Saint Efisio has returned to Cagliari. The statue of the warrior martyr returned to the city, to his home in the church of Stampace, accompanied by the faithful and carried on the shoulders of the brothers of the Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone. After four days, as per tradition.
This year's edition was marked by bovine dermatitis , which prevented the participation of oxen to pull the carriage and the presence of the traccas, and by the tragic mourning for the death of Elena Siddi, a 55-year-old from Sarroch who died on May 1st in Stampace where she had arrived specifically for the procession.
The live broadcast
Sant'Efisio is ready to return to Cagliari. Greetings from Pula, Villa San Pietro, and Sarroch.
8:45 PM. The great wait
May 4th marks the return of Saint Efisio to the church of Stampace. A long procession is accompanying the statue of the warrior martyr to the capital from the site of his martyrdom. The celebrations culminate with the announcement of the fulfillment of the vow by the Archconfraternity, before midnight.
Some arrived well in advance, camping chairs under their arms and patience in their pockets. From 6:30 PM, Via Roma began to fill with people awaiting the return of Sant'Efisio, including devotees who have been missing for a year and the curious, drawn by the silent power of tradition. ( Mauro Madeddu )
9:15 PM. The statue of Sant'Efisio from Villa Ballero, loaded aboard the pickup truck inside a display case, begins the final leg of the return journey to Cagliari.
9:20 PM . In Via Roma, in front of the Town Hall, traditional groups from various towns parade, anticipating the arrival of Sant'Efisio.
9.40 pm. The statue has reached the quarter-finals. era of the Fishing Village and after a short break he set off again towards the centre of Cagliari .
10:05 PM. The pickup truck carrying Sant'Efisio crosses the Scafa bridge.
10:15 PM. Sant'Efisio, accompanied by the faithful, has arrived at Viale La Playa. Meanwhile, anticipation is growing in the Stampace neighborhood.
10:27 PM. The mounted militia, the escort of Sant'Efisio, cross Via Roma.
10:30 PM: The statue of Saint Efisio has been lowered from the pickup truck and placed on the sedan chair. The brothers of the Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone are carrying it on their shoulders.
10:50 PM . Sant'Efisio arrives in front of Cagliari's Town Hall on Via Roma, carried by his brothers and accompanied by countless faithful.
11:13 PM . The steps of the church of Sant'Anna are packed: a moment of great emotion and participation in Via Azuni where the crowd greets the arrival of the statue of Sant'Efisio.
11:20 PM . The statue of Saint Efisio enters the church named in his honor in the Stampace neighborhood. Procedures have begun to transfer the statue into the carriage.
11:25 PM . Everything is ready for the vote to be cast.
11:33 PM: "The vote has been fulfilled." The words of Andrea Loi, president of the Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone, solemnly certify the fulfillment of the vote. The city and Sardinia have honored Saint Efisio for the 370th time.