Saint Erasmus Day
The 2 JuneThe Patron Saint of fishermen is taken in procession from theChurch of St. Erasmus in Via Forcioli Conti to the fishing port: Port Tino Rossi. The saint then goes out to sea with the fishermen to be blessed. Wreaths of flowers are thrown into the sea. The population is invited to take a seat on the fishermen's boats or on the boats of the sea-going companies to attend the blessing.
Pescadori in Festa: 3 days of festivities in Ajaccio
On the occasion of St Erasmus, the association I Pescadori in Festa organises the "fishermen's festival". During 3 days, the town resounds to the sound of concerts and animations (games for young and old), without forgetting the fishermen's lunch and dinner.
The legend of Saint Erasmus
As a bolt of lightning strikes the ground near him, Erasmus continues his preaching. This is why he became the patron saint of sailors.
Thelatter, fearing the danger of storms at sea, decided to pray to him whenever the weather was bad. The electric discharges at the mastheads of ships were seen as a sign of his protection and were thus called "Saint Elmo's fires".
Saint Elme is the other name of Saint Erasmus.
