It is customary in Mexico to include the figurine of the devil in the nativity scene to illustrate that evil is everywhere. Figures of demons bearing emblems of the seven deadly sin are usually shown tempting the shepherds, the Three Kings and the townspeople.
Though evil is indeed all around us, its inclusion in the creche also remind us all that good will eventually triumph.
Showing posts with label spanish colonial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spanish colonial. Show all posts
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Old Gumaca Church Interior
Old Gumaca Church Interior.
Church of San Diego de Alcala
Gumaca, Quezon.
The church interior is done in Neo-Gothic style as can be discerned from its Gothic arches that support a large, central domed ceiling.
The style continues on to the retablos with their spires, pointed arches and geometric decorations.
The retablo mayor is placed behind a Gothic arch that is painted with crenelations. The retablo mayor sits under a small dome that is accentuated with trompe-loeil panels.
The retablo mayor is composed of three niches: the central niche bears a monumental sculpture of San Diego de Alcala hugging a cross--the church's patron saint--while the the other two niches are occupied by presumably, the apostles St. Peter and Paul.
The retablos menores too, follow the design of the main retablo albeit in smaller scales. Each niche bears a Franciscan saint, most identifiable of which is that of San Antonio de Padua with the Christ Child whose statue can be seen on the far left side of the picture.
A common sight in churches back then are the rows of benches placed before the main altar. Often simple in construction and almost always crudely decorated, these benches are reserved for the elite and important figures of the town. The rest of the congregation stand or kneel around the benches during a service.
What can also be seen in the photo are the Semana Santa statues of the Cristo Resucitado and Virgen Alegria, each borne atop their own decorated andas,--a palanquin.
Today, the church has been heavily altered. Gone are the plastered walls with their painted surfaces and Gothic arches; the pulpit and retablos too, have been removed and replaced with superfluous baroque reredos.
Church of San Diego de Alcala
Gumaca, Quezon.
The church interior is done in Neo-Gothic style as can be discerned from its Gothic arches that support a large, central domed ceiling.
The style continues on to the retablos with their spires, pointed arches and geometric decorations.
The retablo mayor is placed behind a Gothic arch that is painted with crenelations. The retablo mayor sits under a small dome that is accentuated with trompe-loeil panels.
The retablo mayor is composed of three niches: the central niche bears a monumental sculpture of San Diego de Alcala hugging a cross--the church's patron saint--while the the other two niches are occupied by presumably, the apostles St. Peter and Paul.
The retablos menores too, follow the design of the main retablo albeit in smaller scales. Each niche bears a Franciscan saint, most identifiable of which is that of San Antonio de Padua with the Christ Child whose statue can be seen on the far left side of the picture.
A common sight in churches back then are the rows of benches placed before the main altar. Often simple in construction and almost always crudely decorated, these benches are reserved for the elite and important figures of the town. The rest of the congregation stand or kneel around the benches during a service.
What can also be seen in the photo are the Semana Santa statues of the Cristo Resucitado and Virgen Alegria, each borne atop their own decorated andas,--a palanquin.
Today, the church has been heavily altered. Gone are the plastered walls with their painted surfaces and Gothic arches; the pulpit and retablos too, have been removed and replaced with superfluous baroque reredos.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
San Antonio de Lisboa
For those who lost something today or for those who are single and looking for a counterpart, you all might want to pray to St. Anthony today. June 13th is his feastday.
He might just intercede.
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