Santo Niño de Cebú
Title of the Child Jesus in the Catholic Church / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Señor Santo Niño de Cebú is a Catholic title of the Child Jesus associated with a religious image of the Christ Child[1] widely venerated as miraculous by Filipino Catholics.[2][3] It is the oldest Christian artifact in the Philippines,[4] originally a gift from the Conquistador Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon (baptized as Carlos) and his wife and chief consort, Hara Humamay (baptized as Juana) on account of their Christian baptism in 1521. The image is the only canonically crowned image of Jesus Christ in the Philippines.[5]
Santo Niño de Cebú | |
---|---|
Location | Cebu City, Philippines |
Date | April 14, 1521 April 28, 1565 |
Witness | Ferdinand Magellan Antonio Pigafetta Rajah Humabon |
Type | Wooden statue |
Approval | Pope Innocent XIII Pope Paul VI Pope John Paul II Pope Francis |
Venerated in | Catholic Church |
Shrine | Basílica Minore del Santo Niño |
Patronage | Cebu, Cebuanos, Filipinos |
Attributes | crown, sceptre, globus cruciger, dark skin, maroon mantle, gold boots, sash |
Feast day | Third Sunday in January |
The dark wood statue measures approximately 12 inches (30 cm) tall, and carved in the Flemish style. It depicts the Child Jesus, with a serene countenance, in the attitude and dress of a Spanish monarch.[5][6] The statue bears imperial regalia, including a golden crown, globus cruciger, and various sceptres, wears fine vestments, and possesses jewelry mostly offered by devotees over several centuries.
The image is replicated in various parts of the country with different titles and is one of the most beloved and recognizable Filipino cultural icons.[7] The annual dancing feast of Sinulog is held on the third Sunday of January every year in its honor.[5][8] Today, the original image is permanently encased behind bulletproof glass inside its chapel within the Basilica del Santo Niño.[9]