The reigning Prince of Monaco celebrated his country’s patron saint, Devote. Prince Albert precided over the festivities that began Tuesday night, and ended Wednesday.
At 7pm Tuesday, the Prince performed the ritual of setting on fire a fishing boat in front of Eglise Sainte Devote. It done in memory of the burning of Florentine captain Antinope’s ship on the beach of Monaco, when he was caught after stealing the relics of Sainte Devote. This has been a tradition since Prince Louis II began it in 1924.
The burning of the boat was followed by fireworks.
The next day, Prince Albert oversaw the welcoming of the relics of Sainte Devote at the church, proceeded by a procession through the streets of Monaco.
Sainte Devote has been the patron saint of not only Monaco, but its ruling family, the Grimaldi’s, since the 16th century. It is said during a war between Monaco and Genoa, that Sainte Devote appeared to the princely family and promised them protection and victory. Six months later, the prophecy came true.
To learn more about Sainte Devote and her following in Monaco, click here
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