In Naples, faith replaces what science cannot predict

Bishop January I of Benevento, A city close Today Naples, East believed has to have has been decapitated In THE year 305 during THE persecutions of Roman emperor Diocletian. Catholic hagiography said that A sample of January blood was supposedly preserved by A women appointed Eusebie, WHO gave he has THE local church authorities For guard. Beginning In 1389, THE martyr dried blood - preserved In two little glass light bulbs - was observed has spontaneously liquefy on certain occasions, such as papal visits.

THE Miracle of San Gennaro was later codified In A three times a year ceremony In which Catholic priests exposure A reliquary containing THE light bulbs has THE Neapolitan public. If THE dried blood liquefies, he means GOOD fortune; if he stay solid, he means disaster. In THE 20 century, THE blood failed has liquefy In 1939 (THE year World War II broken out), 1980 (THE year of THE Irpinia earthquake, which kill around 2,500 people) And 2016 (THE year A series of earthquake kill hundreds In central Italy).

This supposed miracle provided THE title For French photographer Julian Mauve new series He Miracle, which he shot In Naples during several visits on THE course of 2019. For Mauve, THE ceremony of THE blood East A Perfect symbol For THE particularly Neapolitan combination of devotion, superstition, And fatalism. First of all ruler In THE 2nd millennium BC, Naples East A of THE of the world the oldest continuously reside urban centers. Today It is THE economic central of from South Italy, but It is location between two major volcanoes, To go up Mount Vesuvius And Campi Flegrei, Also puts he has risk of destruction. Residents need look No further that Pompeii, A 30 minutes to drive has THE South East, For A preview has their possible destiny.

"I was interested In This blend of GOOD And bad things In Naples," Mauve explain. "THE volcanoes are dangerous, but they are Also THE reason THE ground East SO fertile, which East A of THE the reasons people live there." (THE ash And wash deposit by previous rashes are rich In nitrogen, phosphorous, And potassium.) A few Neapolitans credit THE volcanoes For THE the city commonly fast pace. "They believe THE volcanoes create A specific energy that makes THE place SO special," Mauve said. "There is A plot of noise, A plot of activity. »

HAS capture THE complete range of Neapolitan life, Mauve photography THE volcanoes, THE urban streets, And even A research ease Or scientists monitor seismographs has detect earthquake And volcanic activity. Last July, around A week After he photography has THE ease, A exceptionally big volcanic eruption on THE Italian island of Stromboli sent A thousand high column of ash In THE sky. He was A of THE volcanoes monitored by THE ease, but scientists had failed has predict This particular explosion.

Given THE unpredictability of nature And THE casual lack of reliability of scientist forecast, It is No wonder a lot Neapolitans continue has place their faith In rituals as THE Miracle of San Gennaro. There is GOOD news In that regard: On September 19, THE last time THE light bulbs were publicly exposed, Cardinal Crescence Sepe, THE archbishop of Naples, was able has announce that