Holy Cross Church, Hanga Roa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Cross Church |
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|---|---|
| Iglesia de la Santa Cruz | |
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| 27°08′54″S 109°25′27″W / 27.1483°S 109.424065°W | |
| Location | Hanga Roa |
| Country | Chile |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Tradition | Latin Rite |
| History | |
| Dedication | Holy Cross |
The Holy Cross Church (in Spanish: Iglesia de la Santa Cruz) is a Catholic Church in Hanga Roa, the main city on Easter Island. This island is a territory of Chile in the Pacific Ocean. The church is famous for mixing Christian art with the local culture of the Rapa Nui people.
Founded in 1937, the church features amazing carvings of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other saints, all made by local artists. The outside of the building is decorated with both Christian symbols and traditional island designs.
Church services, called Masses, are held in Spanish. However, the hymns and songs are sung in the native Rapa Nui language. The church is an important place for local Catholics and also attracts many visitors who come to see its unique art and architecture.
Contents
History of the Church
The Holy Cross Parish was officially created in December 1937. It is part of the Diocese of Valparaíso in Chile. The church was built largely because of the work of a missionary named Father Sebastian Englert.
Art and Architecture
The church is a great example of syncretism, which is the blending of different beliefs and cultures. This mix can be seen on the front of the building, called the facade. It has Christian symbols like the Ten Commandments and angels, alongside Rapa Nui symbols. These include carvings of the Tangata manu (bird-man), fish, and the manutara bird.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church has a simple and peaceful feel. Near the entrance, you can see sculptures of Archangel Michael and Saint Francis of Assisi.
The church has many special carvings that show the blend of cultures:
- The baptismal font is decorated with symbols from rongorongo, the ancient writing system of Easter Island.
- A sculpture of the Sacred Heart shows Jesus with a face that looks like a moai kavakava (a type of local statue). He also wears a reimiro, a traditional crescent-shaped necklace, on his chest.
- The cross above the main altar is made from local volcanic stone. The figure of Christ on it wears a headdress made of shells and bones.
- A statue of Our Lady of Rapa Nui stands to the right of the altar. Created in 1970, it was the first Christian statue made by local artists on the island. Mary's body is shaped like a moai, and her eyes are made of shells and obsidian (a black volcanic glass).
The church also has wooden sculptures of Saint Rose of Lima, the Holy Family, and the Holy Spirit. All these artworks are an attempt to connect the local Rapa Nui traditions with the Christian faith.
Important People Buried Here
Several important figures in Easter Island's history are buried at the church:
- Angata, a Rapa Nui leader and prophet.
- Eugène Eyraud, the first Catholic missionary to live on the island.
- Nicolás Pakarati, a Rapa Nui king.
- Sebastian Englert, the priest who helped found the church.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de la Santa Cruz (Hanga Roa) para niños
- Catholic Church in Chile
References
