St. Sebastian's Day 2025 in Rio de Janeiro
Rio has its holiday not on the day of foundation, but on the day of the patron—St. Sebastian
Dates: January 20
The residents of Rio de Janeiro are very devoted to the patron of the city—Saint Sebastian and annually celebrate his holiday on the 20th of January with big festive processions, which usually pass the streets of Tijuca, the Center, and the Glory. Interestingly, the holiday is observed not only by Catholics but also by followers of the Candomblé and Umbanda religions, where Saint Sebastian is revered as Oxóssi.
Festival Customs
On this day, also known as the Feast of St. Sebastian, devotees come to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian in Rio de Janeiro for the holiday masses to pray for continued patronage and blessings. The masses are followed by a vibrant procession, which gathers thousands of people together, from the Basílica Santuário de São Sebastião in Tijuca to the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Schedule
The masses usually take place at 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, and 5 pm. The procession is normally scheduled for 4 pm from Basílica Santuário de São Sebastião, also known as Igreja dos Capuchinhos.
History of the Patron
The official story says that Saint Sebastian became the patron of Rio as a tribute to Don Sebastian, the Portuguese king, who helped the locals found the city and expel the French. Saint Sebastian is one of the militant Christian saints and a martyr who is celebrated with great pomposity. It is believed that although Saint Sebastian was denounced and punished for his Christian beliefs by Emperor Diocletian, he still continued to spread and practice his faith.
