Provincia di Catanzaro, Calabria, Italia
Religion
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Marziale, the Patron Saint of Isca sull' Ionio, was born to a noble Roman family in a world still
pagan and fascinated with mythological gods. As a young boy, he loses his father, a proud
Christian, who taught his children to observe and to respect the Laws of God and the
Doctrine of Christ. When his father dies, the responsibility of the family falls upon Marziale's
mother, Feliciata. She was a woman of deep culture, prodigal, loving and like her husband, a
zealous propagator of the Gospel.
Marziale is the youngest of seven brothers: Silvano, Gennaro, Filippo, Felice, Alessandro and
Vitale. All faithful and ardent Christians. Although an adolescent, he feels a profound love for
Christ and while renouncing a life of luxury and worldly pleasures, like his brothers, wears the
habit of chastity. He opened his heart and home to the poor, the sick and needy.
The dream to propagate their new faith is to end tragically, as they are all, one by one,
sacrificed by Marco Aurelio, the Emperor of the Sacred Roman Empire. Marziale watches his
brothers being butchered and while aware of his imminent death, boldly denies for the last
time, the Pagan Gods. Ready to die, he solemnly proclaims the name of Christ our Lord.
Felicita, blessing her son, cries to the Emperor, begging him to spare her little one. Marziale
implored God to forgive his assassins and to pray for his mother, while giving his head to the
executioner, who with shaking hands, thrusts the sword that severs Marziale's head. The
earth trembled, as fear overcame the Emperor, who looks up to the Heavens and proclaims:
"You have won God and you Marziale, like a God, will be
sanctified and honored by posterity."
Filmed live in August 2005 in the
Piazza at Isca Sullo Iono.
Residents of Isca star in the Story
of their beloved Patron Saint
Marziale. This is excellent film to
purchase, portraying the tragedy
of the seven brothers, the
youngest being Marziale.
Mayory Mirarchi andPastor Padre Antonio
We know that the Church of Annunziata (Our Lady) dates back to the year
1598 and earlier, as records from that year show it existed. The church was
heavily damaged in the terrible Terremoto (Earthquake) of 1659. Another
Earthquake in 1783 demolished the Church. It was reconstructed during the
years of 1787-1794. This beautiful Church along with San Nicola, dating back
400+ years were always the two largest churches in the town and today are the
only two remaining. Every August, this church celebrates and honors Our Lady
with a beautiful mass, street procession and fireworks. It is truly a wonderful
religious experience, as Isca shows their love for Our Lady.
San Nicola is the Church of the Patron Saint of Isca, San Marziale. While we
do not know the exact date that the church was established, records do show
the church existed in the year 1566. It was heavily damaged in the Terremoti
(Earthquakes) of 1659 and 1783. During the Isca's most famous and
devastating earthquake of 1947 the church was demolished. While this
building was demolished during the earthquake, San Marziale kept his
parishioners safe, during the earthquake, which took place just minutes after
the church was full of people during mass. Had the Earthquake struck ten
minutes earlier, many people surely would have perished, under the Church
walls. With all of the destruction throughout Isca, San Marziale was thanked
for keeping most of the towns people free from harms way, as only two people
perished in the earthquake. Every year in May, for the anniversary of the
great Earthquake of 1947,the Town of Isca and emigrants in the cities of
Philadelphia and Kulpmont, Pennsylvania, Montreal and Toronto Canada and
Australia honor their Patron Saint Marziale, with religious mass, procession
and festivities. His actual Feast Day is in July, but the Town celebrates his
day in August, when so many people come to Isca. Thank you San Marziale
for watching over your sons and daughters of Isca, throughout the world.
The ruins of the old church of Saint John (Chiesa of San Giovanni), still remain
today and can be found on the quiet street of Via Croce (Street of the Cross). A
true name for a street which is not only the location for Saint John's Church, but
also the location of a beautiful Chapel, with a Statue of our Lady. Another
monument, which is one of the Staions of the Cross, can be found on Via
Croce. Records from the year 1615, during the reign of Pope Paulo V, show
the Church was in existence. While we can not say what year the Church was
established, we can say it dates to 1615 or earlier.
Walking down Via Croce, to the bottom of the town, is one of my favorite walks,
especially in the early morning hours, just after the sun rises. When I snapped
this photograph, a beam of light which seemed to be shining down from Heaven
came down upon the remnants of this old church. If you closely, you can still see
the face of Saint John, on the tower.
On the street "Via Croce".
Located in Chapel
Located on Via Croce
La Chiesa di Santa Marina - Pre 1680
La Chiesa di Santa Caterina- Pre 1615
La Chiesa Basiliana di San Biase
Inauguration of the Calvary, one the
Stations of the Cross, dedicated
February 28, 1932.
