1 - S. Eligio
protector saint of coach drivers, saddle makers and jewellers.
2 - S. Bibiana
3 - S. Francesco Saverio
4 - S.Barbara
The name Barbara comes from the Greek term "barbaros", which means foreigner, and in ancient times was often imposed upon women slaves. Saint Barbara was beheaded by her father in Nicomedia in the 6th century AD. According to legend her father was then hit by lightning and reduced to ashes. She is the protector saint of bell-ringers and artificers. Invoked to protect from the lightning.
5 - S.Dalmatius and Julius
6 - S.Nicola... Santa Claus
7 - S.Ambrogio
The name derives from the Greek word "ambrosios" which means immortal.
Events:
1594 - Gian Lorenzo Bernini was born in Naples
8 - Immaculate Conception
Events:
1854 - Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the immaculate conception of Mary.
1846 - the ancient column of "cipollino" marble was erected in Piazza di Spagna.
Traditionallly on this day the Pope goes to Piazza di Spagna where there is a statue of the Virgin Mary on top of an ancient Roman column. A fireman climbs a ladder to place a crown of flowers at the feet of the Virgin.
9 - S.Siro
From the Greek "Seirios" and Latin "Sirius" that is the name of the main star of the constellation of Canis Major (Sirius or "the dog-star"). This is the most brilliant star of the night sky.
Events:
1846 - Rome was flooded by the Tiber which rose to 16,25 metres over the normal water level.
10 - S.Loredana
The name derives from Lauretana which means "of Loreto" from the famous Madonna of Loreto. Loreto derives from the latin word "laureto" that means "laurel wood". S. Loredana, as the Madonna of Loreto, is protector saint of aviators and astronauts.
11 - S. Damaso (Pope) and S.Genziano
12 - S.Amalia
This name derives from the Gothic word "amal" which means active, industrious, hard-working.
13 - S.Lucia (Lucy)
Lucia is the feminine form of the Latin name Lucius and derives from the word "lux" which means light. In ancient times it was given to given to who would be born at the dawn. Lucy is the patron saint of the blind, electricians and oculists.
Roman sayings:
Santa Lucia e' il giorno piu' corto che ci sia
(The day of Saint Lucia is the shortest day of the year)
Er lume e' una mezza compagnia
(candle light is half company)
Events:
1294 - pope Celestinus V declared his refusal to continue his reign (il "Gran Rifiuto")
14 - S.John of the Cross and S.Pompeus
15 - S.Valerianus and S.Massimino
16 - S.Adelaide, S.Adone and S.Umberto
17 - S.Lazarus
18 - S.Graziano
19 - S.Dario and S.Adamo
The name Adamo (Adam) comes from the Jewish word "adhamah" that means "coming from the earth"
20 - S.Liberato and S.Ursicino
21 - S.Peter Canisio and S.Temistocle
Events:
1863 - the Roman poet Giuseppe Gioacchino Belli, dies.
1950 - the Roman poet Carlo Alberto Salustri, known as Trilussa, dies.
Coincidentally these two great Roman poets die on the same day
22 - S.Demetrio
Events:
1494 - Pope Alexander VI starts the work of digging the moat around S.Angelo Castle to be flooded with the waters of the river Tiber.
23 - S.John of Kety and S.Vittoria
24 - S.Adele
25 - Santo Natale, Christmas
Events:
354 AD - Pope Liberius sets 25 December as the birthday of Jesus.
800 AD - In a solemn ceremony in the Basilica of St.Peter pope Leo III crowned Holy Roman Emperor Carlo Magno.
26 - S.Stefano, Steven
27 - S.John the Evangelist
Roman saying:
The night of S.John in the winter is the longest, the night of S.John in the summer (24 June) is the shortest.
28 - Santi Innocenti
It is celebrated in memory of the children killed by Erode. They, They, the Innocent Saints, are the protector saints of children.
29 - S.Tommaso, Thomas
30 - S.Eugenio
31
- S.Silvestro
Events:
192 AD - The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Commodus is murdered. He was the son of Marcus Aurelius
and Faustina minor. Commodo was the last the Antonini, the so-called "adoptive" emperors, chosen for their qualities and skills and not for their family descent.
| 