- Address: 1 Pl Sainte-Dévote 98000
- Phone: +377 9350 5260
- Official website: www.saintedevotemonaco.com
- Email: mouvementstedevote@hotmail.com
- Working hours: daily from 8:30 - 18:30; Mass from Monday to Saturday at 18:00; on Sunday at 10:30, 18:00
In the beautiful, tiny state of Monaco is the church of Saint Devote - a temple dedicated to the Holy Guardian of the Principality, as well as the princely family. The first mention in the history of this chapel was back in the 11th century, but then the church was just a chapel of the monastery of Saint Pons. However, in 1870 this chapel was restored and expanded on a scale, after which it became a real spiritual temple.
The Legend of the Martyr of Devotion
The Church of the Holy Virgin in Monaco has its own ancient legend. In the ІІІІІІІ century, a girl named Devota was born in Corsica. According to the legend, the girl did not want to give up Christianity, so she was sentenced to terrible death pains. But this governor was not enough, so he ordered to burn the body of the martyr at all in sight, allegedly demonstrating that such punishment awaits and other protesting Christians. But the poor believers on the night before the burning could steal the body of the Devota and send it along with the boat to Africa. In the sea route the boat got into a storm and lost its course. And it was a real miracle: a dove flew out of nowhere, indicating to the sailors the way. Soon the boat docked on the shore near the Gomat valley. It was in this place that the grave of Devote was built by the seamen, and an hour-long was erected.
Celebration and traditions of Holy Virgin
In modern times, January 26 in Monaco celebrate the feast of Holy Virgin. Allegedly on that day a boat with the body of a martyr threw the valley to the shore. On this day the main rite of the whole principality is carried out - the burning of a symbolic wooden boat on the shore. In 2011, the main archbishop of Monaco attended this festival and gave his blessing to the ritual.
An interesting fact about Monaco is that for brides after marriage it has become a tradition to attribute their bouquets to the grave of the Devota. It is said that this tradition brings happiness and wealth to young families. Also in the church are held weddings.
Church Attractions
The Church of the Holy Virgin in Monaco adorns many sculptures and paintings with saints. The main pictures of the church were:
- "The Ascension of Devote's Prayers" by an unknown artist;
- Icon of Saint Pascal;
- Icon of Saint Devote;
- "The Resurrection of Lazarus";
- "Metal rinsing" Rinsing Christ "- a copy of the work of Michelangelo.
In front of the Church of Saint Devote in Monaco is a monumental statue of the martyr, created by Cyril De La Pateler in 1998. In all the chapels and temples of Monaco, small copies of this sculpture are mandatory.
Inside the temple there is a sculpture of Ecce Homo - Jesus in the crown of thorns. In the center of the church is a reliquary, which displays real, legendary events from the history of Monaco. Here are the relics of the Devil, Orel, Felix and Roman.
How to get there?
You can get to the church by train Monaco-Monte Carlo station or by rented car by coordinates.
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