Photos: Italians observe religious tradition with snakes
May 1, 2013
Bishop Angelo Spina (L) holds snakes to be used for covering a wooden statue of St. Domenico, before a procession of the statue in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico, which is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes.REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
Snakes cover a wooden statue of Saint Domenico during a procession in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico and the statue is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
A woman holds up a snake during the procession of the statue of St. Domenico in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico, which is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
A boy carries snakes, used to cover a wooden statue of Saint Domenico, during the St. Domenico procession in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico and the statue is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
Carabinieri (front, C) lead the procession for a wooden statue of St. Domenico (rear, C), covered with snakes, in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico, which is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
A boy looks on with a snake on his shoulder during the procession of the statue of St. Domenico in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico, which is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
Snakes cover a wooden statue of St. Domenico during a procession of the statue in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico, which is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
A priest holds a snake during the procession of the statue of St. Domenico in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico, which is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
Snakes cover a wooden statue of Saint Domenico during the a procession in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico and the statue is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
A panoramic view of Cocullo village where snakes are used to cover a wooden statue of Saint Domenico during the St. Domenico procession, in central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico and the statue is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
A man takes a picture as he carries snakes, used to cover a wooden statue of St. Domenico, during a procession of the statue in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico, which is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
People cover a wooden statue of Saint Domenico with snakes during a procession in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico and the statue is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
A snake slides on a Italian Carabiniere during the St. Domenico procession in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico and the statue is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
Snakes cover a wooden statue of St. Domenico during a procession of the statue in Cocullo, central Italy May 1, 2013. Every year in May, snakes are placed onto the statue of St. Domenico, which is then carried in a procession around the town. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ( ITALY/ )
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