Sanctuary and Monastery of Las Nazarenas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas |
|
|---|---|
The front of the Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas church in Lima.
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Lima |
| Province | Lima |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Sanctuary |
| Location | |
| Location | Lima District, Lima, Peru |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1771 |
The Sanctuary and Monastery of Las Nazarenas is a famous Roman Catholic church located in the city of Lima, Peru. This special place is the home of a holy image called the Señor de los Milagros, which means the Lord of Miracles. This figure is considered the official protector, or patron, of the city.
The church is the starting point for one of the biggest religious parades in the world. The building we see today was finished in 1771, after the original church was destroyed in a powerful earthquake.
Contents
History of the Sanctuary
The story of this church begins not with a building, but with a painting on a simple wall.
The Miraculous Painting
In the 1600s, a group of people from Angola in Africa were brought to Peru. One of them, whose name is not known, painted an image of Jesus Christ on a wall in a poor neighborhood of Lima. This area was called Pachacamilla.
In 1655, a huge earthquake struck Lima and destroyed most of the city. Many buildings and homes fell down. However, the wall with the painting of Jesus on it remained standing without any damage. People saw this as a miracle and began to worship the image.
Building the Church
As more people came to see the painting, a small chapel was built around the wall. But in 1687, another earthquake hit Lima, and again, the wall with the painting survived. This event made the image even more famous.
After this second miracle, it was decided that a proper church should be built to honor the painting. The final church, known as the Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas, was completed in 1771. It was built to protect the sacred wall and to give a home to the nuns of the Nazarenas order, who look after the sanctuary.
The Lord of Miracles Procession
Every October, the streets of Lima fill with people for a huge celebration in honor of the Lord of Miracles.
What is the Procession?
A procession is like a parade where people walk together for a religious reason. For the Lord of Miracles procession, a large copy of the original painting is carried out of the church and through the city.
Hundreds of thousands of people join in. Many of them wear purple clothes to show their devotion. Because of this, October is known as the "Purple Month" (Mes Morado) in Lima. The procession is one of the largest and oldest religious traditions in the Americas.
When Does It Happen?
The main processions take place on October 18, 19, and 28. On these days, the streets are crowded with families, music, and food vendors, all celebrating this important cultural and religious event.
See also
In Spanish: Santuario y Monasterio de Las Nazarenas para niños
- Lord of Miracles
External links
