Quirinus-Oktav in Neuss: an identification figure for the whole city

Quirinus-Oktav in Neuss: an identification figure for the whole city

Neuss celebrates its city and parish patron Quirinus

The upcoming festival of the city and parish patron Quirinus is enthusiastically expected by Andreas Süß, the Neuss cathedral priest. For the city of Neuss, Quirinus is an important figure that is enthusiastically celebrated by the entire community. The history of the martyr Quirinus goes back to 1050 when he came to Neuss. Originally a pursuer of Christians under Emperor Hadrian, he changed to the Christian faith after his daughter Balbina was healed by the prayer of Christians. This conversion finally led to Quirinus himself died as a martyr for his faith and serves as a model to this day.

A tradition states that Neuss was besieged by Karl the Kühnen from Burgundy in 475. By trusting the Holy Quirinus, which the Neussers brought to the city wall, the city was successfully defended. To this day, this event still shapes the relationship between the residents and their city patron and shows in various traditions, such as the promise to set up and ignite two large candles on the shrine of the quirin. Identification with Quirinus goes so far that the term "Quirinus-Stadt" is used to emphasize pride and connection with the patron.

The upcoming Quirinus-Aktav is celebrated with various events and processions in which young and old take part. Star pilgrimages, tours and services offer believers the opportunity to deal with the importance of sacred quirinus. The festive celebrations end on Sunday, May 5th, with a trade fair in St. Quirinus-Münster, a move around the Münster and a joint festival on Münsterplatz. Quirinus thus remains a central figure of identification for the city of Neuss, which expresses its tradition and solidarity through the festival in honor of its patron saint.