Catholic holiday - St. Barnabas Day is celebrated on June 11th. The original name of Barnabas was Joseph, for his kindness and mercy he received the nickname Barnabas, which means "son of comfort." He was born into a rich Jewish family of Levites in Cyprus, received a good theological education in Jerusalem. There Barnabas met Saul, who later became the apostle Paul. St. Barnabas is considered the founder of the Cypriot Church.
The Apostle Barnabas was among the first seventy disciples of Christ. After the death of Jesus, Barnabas and the apostle Paul made missionary trips to Cyprus, Perga and Antioch, aimed at the spread of Christianity. Barnabas was killed by the Jews in Cyprus in the city of Salamis: he was stoned and thrown on a fire. Subsequently, the nephew of Barnabas Mark found his body, not damaged by fire. The burial place of the apostle began to be called the "Place of Health", as many patients received healing there. Later, a temple was erected on this site, and the relics of the saint were transferred to the altar.
On the day of St. Barnabas, June 11, solemn services are held in all Catholic churches. Residents of the Spanish city of Logrono (La Rioja province) celebrate this holiday in a special way. St. Barnabas is the patron saint of their city. The holiday in this city began to be celebrated in 1521, when the Spaniards defeated the French, who tried to enter Castile through Logrono. A museum of memory was opened in the city, where residents displayed military trophies and weapons, and on the highest towers of the temples placed utensils that they could defend against the enemy. Subsequently, in 1522, the "Vow to St. Barnabas" was created on the procedure for the celebrations that are still being observed.
During the holiday, the inhabitants of Logrono dress up in ancient costumes of that era, a medieval market opens, and the camps of the French and Logron troops are set up. A costumed performance is held in which the battle of the Spaniards and the French is played in front of the city gates. The Arc de Triomphe, located at the beginning of Calle Portalles, is decorated with boxwood branches for the holiday. This is the only surviving arch of those that were installed at all the gates of the city in honor of the victory over the French. The locals of Logrono keep the belief that to be successful in love, you need to go under it three times. In memory of the holiday of St. Barnabas, residents and visitors of the city traditionally pick up a couple of boxwood leaves.
