Exploring Rizal: Churches and the Santacrusan

If you’re in the country looking to do a religious pilgrimage, then Rizal is the place to do so. On our trip, we pack in a whole lot of historic churches namely: Antipolo Cathedral, Baras Church, Morong Church and Tanay Church.

My favorite was Baras church which was built by the Franciscans in the 1680s. It was renovated during the 1960s but it still has an old-world because it used the original stones and tiles. Sparsely decorated and dimly lit, it’s like stepping into a sacred cavern.

Baras Church (Photo by Knox)

Another notable church was the St. Jerome Parish in Morong. The church had a façade reminiscent of the Baroque churches in Europe. It also has an imposing four-storey bell tower which stood out prominently on the side. Ironically, it was built in1615 by Chinese craftsmen evidenced by two Chinese lions at the sculptures at the entrance.

Here we encountered a typical site during the month of May- the Santacrusan. In the Philippines, it’s a big event celebrated with kids or beautiful maidens dressed in colorful voluminous outfits. They parade around the town and prayers are said after.

Santacrusan in front of Morong Church (Photo by Knox)

The Santacrusan is a religious procession that reenacts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. It’s rooted in the myth that Queen Helena searched for Christ’s cross 300 years after he was crucified. She found three crosses, but discerned the one of Christ’s by having her sick servant lie on all three. The one that cured him was the one.

To read up on the Santacrusan, click here:
http://filipinofestival.blogspot.com/2007/12/flores-de-mayo-and-santacrusan-festival.html