According to legend, on June 27, 1544, the Turkish fleet's attempt to invade Amalfi, Italy, led by the pirate Barbarossa, was foiled by the miracle of Sant'Andrea Apostolo, known here as St. Andrew.

The invaders apparently wanted to capture the saint's remains, entombed in the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Although outnumbered, the Amalfitani gave it their all, praying for a miracle. Then, they spotted an elderly man on shore, whittling a stick. Every scrap that fell into the sea created a tempest – and the storm sank the Turkish vessels. The elderly man was the incarnation of St. Andrew and his remains continue to be safeguarded at the Amalfi cathedral.

For this reason, June 27 is celebrated annually as a very special day in New Haven among Italians, especially those whose ancestors were from Amalfi, explained Patricia-Jo Esposito, a spokeswoman for the St. Andrew Apostle Society.

This year, the four-day feast will run from Thursday, June 22, through Sunday, June 25, at the society's club grounds in New Haven's historic Wooster Square area.