Cathedral

art and monuments

It was built in the middle of XVI century, and the works lasted till 1562. It rises on a heightened base, which is mainly used as a catacomb. The plant is a Latin cross, with three aisles, sloping roof and a belfry surmounted by a little dome. The ceiling was decorated during XIX century with stuccoed lacunars. One of the most important elements is the baroque altar of Saint Cyrus. It dates back to 1737, and it is made by polychrome marble. In the left lower part there is a statue of Saint John of Edessa, while on the right one there is Saint Anastasia’s statue. These saints were, both of them, Saint Cyrus’s disciples.
In the superior part, certainly, there is a gravestone shaped as a shield, surmounted by a crown, on which there is an inscription with the year when the church was accomplished and Marquis Ignazio VI’s name. It was the marquis who wanted the work to be done, by his people’s help.
On the altar, there is the precious silver Urn (XVIII century), whose base was financed by Ignazio Pilo. The Urn keeps Saint Cyrus’s relic. 
Next to the altar, there is an oil painting (1730), representing the village Patron in his glory. 
In the church there are some precious works of art:

Gagini’s school made the oval Tabernacle, in white marble. In its central part, there is a little door, flanked by two kneeling Angels, their arms crossed. Above the door, there is an image of Jesus, with the symbols of Passion.

Above the tabernacle there is a wooden neoclassical statue, made by Genovesi, representing the Virgin, rising on a spherical base, standing for the globe. Her right foot is squeezing the head of the evil snake.

A very big oil painting, “Regina Angelorum”, painted by an unknown artist, dates back to XVIII century.

Two little oval paintings: The first representing Saint Rosalie, and the other Saint Peter, both made at the end of XVIII or at the beginning of the XIX century.

The Virgin of Tenderness (XVI century)

Outside, on the left exterior wall of the church, there is a big panel in multicoloured majolica of the middle of XVIII century. In the centre there is a chapel painted, while on the background we can observe the image of Saint Cyrus, his left hand on his breast, holding the palm of martyrdom. The earthquake of 1968 damaged the church and it 
has been only in part restored.

Mass-book with a silver cover(1702).

Monumental silver ostensory (1736)

The paintings of the good and the evil death, bought in 1810, and painted by an unknown author.

Luigi Lavitrano, Palermo Archbishop, founded Saint Cyrus’s Congregation, on 
January 22, in 1936. The brotherhood promotes some activities to spread the worship of the Saint all over the world. Among these activities, there are: the keeping of the relic, the study and the promotion of literature about this Saint Doctor’s life, the prayers, the keeping of the believers’ gifts and of popular traditions, as well as the organization of Summer (the last Sunday but one in August) and Winter (January 31) village religious festivals. 

Among the manifestations of faith and tradition proposed for the Summer festival,
 in August, there are: La Cunnutta (taking of holy gifts on donkeys and horses), La Dimostranza (the life of the Saint acted in 21 moving scenes) and the Triumphal Chariot, pulled by a very big horse. 

correlative themes:
art and monuments index
another churches:
Holy Souls
Cathedral
Cross
Jesus, St. Mary and St. Joseph
St. Anne
St. Anthony
St. Michael
St. Sacramento
S. V. Ferreri
chapel
calvary
convent:
St. Mary of the Doe
sanctury:
St. Mary of Scanzano

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