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History of Santo Niño de Cebu: The oldest Christian relic in PH

Original image of Santo Niño de Cebu

SANTO NIÑO DE CEBU HISTORY: 4 AMAZING FACTS WORTHWHILE TO KNOW.

1. The image of Santo Niño de Cebu was one of the gifts of Ferdinand Magellan to the ruler of Cebu and his chief consort for their Baptism and helped in the evangelization of the Philippines.

The Santo Niño de Cebú image was originally produced by Flemish artisans, according to a hagiography, based on a vision of Teresa of Avila a mystic of the 16th century.

On September 20, 1519, a fleet of five galleons commanded by Portuguese Navigator Ferdinand Magellan at the service of the king and queen of Spain set sailed from San Lucar de Barrameda to search for the Spice Islands. They did not find the spice island, instead they landed in Limasawa, a small island south of Leyte in the central part of the Philippines. Magellan took possession of the islands and named it after King Philip of Spain.

2. The image of Santo Niño of Cebu survived the destruction of the town during the 1565 Cebu bombardment carried out by the 2nd Spanish expedition.

The next Spanish expedition arrived on April 27, 1565, again to gain a foothold for a colony to trade spices, and this was led by Miguel López de Legazpi. He attempted a peaceful colonization, but these efforts were rejected.

3. The image of Santo Niño of Cebu remained miraculously unscathed during the WWII bombing of the Church where it was venerated.

4. The image of Santo Niño of Cebu is the oldest surviving Catholic relic in the Philippines.

The image of the Santo Niño is the oldest surviving Catholic relic in the Philippines, along with the Magellan cross.

SOURCES: Wikipedia, santoniñodecebu.org, gimiliani.org

The Feast of Santo Niño of Cebu is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January and is attended by millions of devotees throughout the days of the fiesta.  Watch the AV below on the Feast of Santo Niño of Cebu

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