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Art and faith · Sopela
SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE
In the centre of Sopela stands the parish church of Saint Peter. We welcome you and invite you to visit this temple built by the people of Sopela, with extraordinary faith and great devotion to the Apostle Saint Peter, patron saint of the town and of the people of the sea.
It is known that there was a primitive church dedicated to Saint Peter in the 12th century located in the place called Jauregizar and that it was moved at the beginning of the 14th century. The current temple is Renaissance in style, erected by Gonzalo de Sopelana around the year 1520 -16th century-, on the remains of the aforementioned temple. In the following centuries, it underwent different reforms in which the baroque bell tower stands out, formed by the former tower-house of Sopelana.
“Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings.”
I Peter 5, 8-9
After these historical data and before entering the temple, on the main Gothic-style doorway you can see the shield made up of the keys of Saint Peter and surrounded by four hearts. It is the coat of arms of the Sopelana lineage, founders of the church dedicated to their patron. Cross the threshold and access the sacred enclosure. It is a one-nave temple, with two side chapels, ashlar stone walls and whitewashed vaults. Suspended from one of the vaults is a votive ship, a sign of Sopela’s seafaring tradition and the devotion of its people. Sailor votive offerings were very frequent to thank for favours granted. Some of them are still preserved as a memory of bygone times.
On the side walls are distributed some simple crosses that indicate the XIV stations of the VIA CRUCIS. Many times it seems that accompanying Jesus in his Passion and Death ends in the tomb, forgetting that on the third day Christ rose and is alive among us until the end of the world. VIA LUCIS
“The end of all things is near. You must be self-controlled and alert, to be able to pray. Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.”
I Peter 4, 7-8
We arrived at the head of the temple. At the foot of the altar is a discreet baptismal font where Baptism is received. The sacrament of Baptism is the foundation of the entire Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the gateway to the rest of the sacraments. By Baptism we are freed from sin and regenerated as children of God, to be members of Christ and incorporated into the Church.
On the right side of the apse there is an original carving of the Immaculate Conception covered by a delicate bluish mantle with golden decorations. Blue is the colour of Mary, a symbol of harmony, trust, royalty and holiness. On the left, the effigy of the apostle Saint Peter; clothed as a pontiff, crowned with the papal tiara and seated in his chair, he seems to bless us with his right hand; while in his left hand he holds a book. He has the papal or pontifical cross, formed by a main vertical line and crossed by three horizontal lines of different sizes. Both sizes flank the crucifix that presides over the temple. Throughout the Catholic world, the veneration of «Christ Crucified» is very common. The people have always known that the Christian proclamation is anchored in a cross, that Jesus freed us from sin and death by dying on the cross, that salvation is a gift of the blood of Christ, and that everything is a free gift of God and his love for us.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.”
John 3, 16
In the right chapel we see the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Christ shows us his burning heart of Love for us, which is the invitation to enter into the great mystery of his infinite love.
We end our visit by going to the tabernacle chapel located on the left. In it is the tabernacle where the greatest treasure of the temple seems to go unnoticed, the Eucharistic Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle. The living Christ has freely saved and redeemed us, he has given us eternal life and is always by our side.
There is not much more to tell you. We hope your visit has been pleasant. Before leaving the temple to continue on your way, we invite you to have a moment of recollection and prayer in front of his real presence in the Tabernacle. We put at your disposal some prayers that will help you in these moments of internalization.
“Jesus is alive in our midst, He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.”
HERMITAGES
- In the same town, in Larrabasterra neighbourhood, is the hermitage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a modern building. His feast day is celebrated on July 16.
- And on the road to Plentzia, with a more rustic style, is the hermitage of Saint Andrew whose feast day is celebrated on November 30.
TO SAINT PETER
O Glorious St. Peter, because of your vibrant and generous faith, sincere humility and flaming love our Lord honored you with singular privileges and especially leadership of the whole Church.
Obtain for us the grace of a living faith, a sincere loyalty to the Church, acceptance of all her teachings, and obedience to all her precepts. Let us thus enjoy an undisturbed peace on earth and everlasting happiness in heaven.
Amen.
TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations.
Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
VIRTUAL VISIT
MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION
“For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is LOVE”
(1 Cor. 13, 13)