Abruzzo News: 27 December 2000

San Zopito was a real historical character. For long times it was believed the name came from the Latin "sopitus in Domino" (=asleep in God) but now the discovery of a very ancient letter in Latin of 12 october 1710 states that the remains are of a Christian martyr named Zopito, who was transported to Loreto from the catacomb of San Callisto, Rome. In 1711, when the relics arrived in Loreto, a white ox knelt down to the passage of the urn.

Prof. Camillo Gasbarri will lead a tour through the monuments of Renaissance Chieti : the Curia Arcivescovile of 1470, Torre Valignani, Torre Anelli Firemosca, Tempietto del Tricalle, Seminaripo, etc.

Cribs all over, a concert on Friday, in Pacentro a living crib, in the Annunziata the "Mostra internazionale del presepe artistico", in Vittorito a ceramics exhibition, in Barrea a real-size crib, and the great final on January 5th in Rivisondoli, with one among the most famous living cribs.

Hundreds of spectators for the represantation of the Nativity soon after 18.30. The area was all lit by the fires of shepherds, walking towards the hut. Artisans' shops recreated the ancient traditions.