According to tradition, Saint Bartholomew -or Sant Bartomeu– was one of the twelve apostles of Christ and suffered martyrdom by being flayed, so the Catholic Church, in a gesture of black humor, made him the patron saint of all those trades that work with leather, such as tanners. However, why is he also so celebrated in Sant Antoni de Portmany?
Theories surrounding Sant Bartomeu
While waiting for the mass to begin to celebrate the patron saint, Manuel Rubio, a Portmanyí born in Andalusia, explains his theory: “A peasant told me that on one occasion they rescued a sailor who was thought to be dying and that happened on the day of Sant Bartomeu, that’s why the people of the sea have faith in him”.
Margarita Serra Tur, who half an hour before mass has already taken a seat in her favorite pew in the church and fans herself vigorously to combat the heat: “The sailors have always belonged to the Virgin of Carmen. Why Sant Bartomeu? Well, I don’t know, but since I was a little girl, and that was many years ago, we have always celebrated it”. The saint has left a deep mark in the town, and there are many Portmanyins who are named after him: “I have two nephews named Bartolo!”, confirms Margarita.
A moment of the performance of the Colla de Portmany. J.A.Riera
The solemn mass to celebrate the patron saint begins punctually, at eight o’clock in the evening. After an initial reading of a passage from the Apocalypse, Vicente Piedra, parish priest of Formentera and who has been invited to speak in the sermon of this special day, takes the floor to recall clearly the life and martyrdom of the saint: “He was flayed alive and suffered punishment with undefeated patience because despite the torment, he did not stop extolling the divine goodness of faith”.
A few words that sound miles away from the leisure area of the West, which gives this church an air of fortress, a stronghold of faith against the current version of pagan Dionysian festivals -which, by the way, are very profitable and move the economy of the municipality-.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.