Sinait Basilica
Sinait Basilica | |
---|---|
Minor Basilica of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Shrine of El Santo Cristo Milagroso | |
Sinait Basilica Location in Luzon | |
17°51′56″N 120°27′29″E / 17.865451°N 120.457942°ECoordinates: 17°51′56″N 120°27′29″E / 17.865451°N 120.457942°E | |
Location | Sinait, Ilocos Sur |
Country | Philippines |
Denomination | Roman Catholic |
History | |
Status | Minor Basilica |
Founded | 1574 |
Dedication | Saint Nicholas of Tolentino |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Architectural type | Church building |
Style | Baroque |
Administration | |
Archdiocese | Nueva Segovia |
Clergy | |
Archbishop | Marlo Mendoza Peralta |
Priest in charge | Jerry Rapisura Avisa |
The Minor Basilica of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino and Shrine of El Santo Cristo Milagroso (Filipino: Basilica Minore ni San Nikolas ng Tolentino at Dambana ng El Santo Cristo Milagroso) is a Roman Catholic parish church in the municipality of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, in northern Philippines. The church is known for housing the El Santo Cristo Milagroso, a life-sized dark-skinned image of crucified Christ.[1] It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Tolentino and is under the administration of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.[2] In May 2021, it was announced that it was granted the title of minor basilica, the 19th church in the Philippines to receive the title and the first in its archdiocese.[1][3]
History[]
It was founded in 1574[4] and was completed in 1598, making it as one of the oldest religious buildings in the Philippines and the region. The Augustinian friars initially administered the church until it was transferred to the secular clergy in 1772 before being returned in 1854 to the Augustinians.[1][5]
The church was formally elevated into a minor basilica on September 10, 2021, feast day of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino.[3][4]
Santo Cristo Milagroso[]
The 400-year old image of El Santo Cristo Milagroso shares its history with the La Virgen Milagrosa, a Marian image enshrined in the Saint John the Baptist Basilica in the neighboring Badoc.
Local accounts tell that in 1620, both the images of Santo Cristo Milagroso and Virgen Milagrosa were found in a floating crate at the boundary of the present-day barangays of Dadalaquiten Norte in Sinait, and Paguetpet in Badoc. The image of the crucified Christ went on to be enshrined in Sinait, while the Marian image was brought to Badoc. Devotees fondly call the image as Apo Lakay, and is attributed with providing miraculous healing. The devotion to the Santo Cristo Milagroso draws multitude of pilgrims to the church of Sinait especially every Friday, earning the municipality the moniker "Quiapo of the North". A smaller image of Santo Cristo Milagroso is also installed in a small chapel in the shore of Dadalaquiten Norte where it was found.[1][3][4][5][6]
References[]
- ^ a b c d "Pope declares Sinait Church a minor basilica". CBCP News. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ "Church of St. Nicolas of Tolentino Sinait, ILOCOS SUR, ILOCOS, Philippines". GCatholic. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c "16th century parish church in Ilocos Sur now a minor basilica". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Heritage church in Ilocos Sur town gets 'minor basilica' status". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "Tourism of Sinait". Municipal Government of Sinait. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ "Get a glimpse of Ilocos Sur history via visita iglesia". GMA News Online. March 21, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
External links[]
- Facebook page [1]
- Media related to Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Church of Sinait at Wikimedia Commons
- Asian church stubs
- Philippine building and structure stubs
- Roman Catholic churches in Ilocos Sur
- Baroque church buildings in the Philippines
- 16th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in the Philippines
- Baroque architecture in the Philippines
- Basilica churches in the Philippines
- Spanish Colonial architecture in the Philippines