FEAST OFS'AINTE RÉPARATE

OCTOBER 5, 2025 

Every year, the City of Nice pays homage to Sainte-Réparate, a young martyr of the third century and patron saint of the city.

Traditional festival - Cathedral of Sainte Réparate

THE PATRON SAINTS

From the beginnings of Christianity, the tradition of the patron saint, often a martyr, appeared, inspired directly by pagan representations. Preferred intermediary
between God and men, the Saint relays their prayers, watches over a locality, a region, a country or even a trade corporation.
This tradition continues and gives rise every year to patron saint festivals that are always very popular and festive.

SAINTREPARATE, PATRON SAINT OF NICE

Saint Reparate was a young Christian saint, virgin and martyr, originally from Caesarea in Palestine, who is said to have died in 250, during the reign of Emperor Decius (249-251), during the persecution he led against the new religions, including Christianity. According to tradition, Reparata's torment began with fire and was saved by a providential downpour. Her tormentors tried to get her to swallow boiling pitch, but she miraculously survived the ordeal. She ended up being beheaded. His body, placed in a boat, drifted on the Mediterranean. Angels are said to have brought the boat back to the shore of Nice, giving their name to the famous bay of Nice. The remains of the Saint were buried in a chapel located in the old town before being deposited in 1690 in the cathedral erected on the site of the old chapel. Consecrated in 1699, it was placed under the protection of Réparate as evidenced by the canvas that surmounts the high altar in the choir of the building.

ON THE PROGRAM

• 10:15 am – Welcome in front of the Nice City Hall 5, rue de I 'Hôtel de Ville
• 10:30 am Procession in Old Nice accompanied by La Ciamada Nissarda
• 11 a.m. – Solemn Mass presided over by Archbishop Norbert Turini, Bishop of Montpellier, concelebrated by Monsignor Jean Philippe Nault, Bishop of Nice, and Father Frédéric Sangés, Parish Priest of Saint-Jean XXIII.
• 12:15 p.m. – Wreath-laying at the War Memorial, Place Rossetti
• 12:30 pm – Dances with La Ciamada Nissarda
• 3 pm – Concert of the Concert Orchestra in the Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate