THE FEAST OF THE ASCENSION IN VENICE; THE WEDDING OF THE SEA

 THE FEAST OF THE ASCENSION IN VENICE

THE WEDDING OF THE SEA




The blessings of the Rogation days were sought in regard to the fields and crops (from the Latin, "Rogare", to ask), but they were not confined to the land. The harvest of the sea was blessed, as was the very dangerous profession of fishing, so the Parish would process to the waterside and the fishing boats, the sea would be blessed and prayers offered for a good harvest in teh coming year.
The Festa della Sensa (The Feast of the Ascension) is a special feast day for the republic of Venice, commemorating the religious significance of the Ascension, together with secular events in the history of the city. The first is the relief in war from defeat by the Slavs, on 9th May 1000 AD, under Doge Pietro II Orseolo. The second event occurred in 1177 AD, when the Doge, Sebastiano Ziani, welcomed to St Mark’s Basilica the Emperor Federico Barbarossa and Pope Alexander III to conclude a peace treaty that settled a centuries-old dispute between the Empire and the Papacy. On that day, to commemorate the peace, the Doge received a blessed ring as reward from the Pope, confirming Venice’s dominion over the seas. The Wedding of the Sea was, from that time on, held in remembrance of these events on the Feast of the Ascension. It is a symbolic tradition where a ring is thrown into the water as a symbol of Venice marrying the sea.
In days past, the Doge, on the state barge, the Bucintoro, sailed to San Pietro di Castello at St Elena, where the Bishop awaited on board a gilt-edged boat, the Doge receiving his precious blessing. Then ensued a propitiatory rite symbolic of marriage – on reaching the Church of San Nicolo at the Lido, a prayer was said for the safety of all sailors. After launching a green wreath of flowers with tiny golden balls into the water, the Doge would throw the consecrated gold wedding ring into the water, reciting:
“Desponsamus te, mare, in signum very perpetique domini”
(We marry you, sea, as a sign of true and perpetual dominion).
-thus sealing the link between Venice and the sea. Saint Nicolo is the patron saint of sailors.
Today, the city celebrates with a water parade of traditional rowing boats, headed by the “Serenissima”, a boat carrying the Mayor and other city dignitaries. And the marriage rites with the sea are still celebrated by the same evocative ceremony, the ring being launched into the water, together with a Mass celebrated in the church of San Nicolo on the Lido.
Images: veneto inside; events in veneto
Italy be events
The Venice Insider

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