Devotion Draws the World to Portugal's 'Hawaiian Island'

On a Portuguese island of constant volcanic activity and frequent earthquakes, the only safe refuge for its people was that of religious devotion to Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres (Lord Holy Christ of Miracles). The devotion of one nun of the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperanca in particular (Teresa da Anunciada) touched the soul of the Azorean community profoundly, and the response was a ritual which came to be known as the procession of Santo Cristo. In the heart of every Azorean, dispersed throughout the world, there is an altar of eternal worship to Senhor Santo Cristo.

The procession, with its world-renowned and priceless figure, has grown and has become strengthened through the centuries. It is by far the most magnificent procession to take place in Portugal. From Portugal, the United States, Canada, and other islands come thousands of Azoreans every year to what many believe is the remnant of the 'Lost Continent of Atlantis' to participate in the great festival of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres.

Romantic and Picturesque Festival Brings Thousands to Portugal's Island Paradise

Weeks before the procession, the Monastery of Esperanca and the Fifth of October Square on the Azores island are decorated with millions of multicolored lights, poles and flags, and flowers of every hue, all of which create a dazzling atmosphere of festivity. The festival lasts for several days and then gives way to religious services and concerts. On Sunday, thousands of people join the procession. At the head goes the banner, followed by two long lines of men in religious garments, many carrying heavy candles. Behind them are youth organizations carrying brightly colored banners and children dressed as angels, seminarians, the clergy of Sao Miguel, and other priests, all preceding the venerated figure of Senhor Santo Cristo do Milagres, which is carried under a dossel of velvet and gold set upon a throne of beautiful silk and cloth flowers woven in the 18th century. Then follow dignitaries of the Catholic Church, respresentatives of the congregations of Sao Miguel, and thousands of women who are paying their promises. Bringing up the rear are the highest military and civil authorities, and representatives of social and sporting associations. Participants circle the main streets of Ponta Delgata for hours until nearly nightfall, when the procession gathers in the illuminatted Square.

Island Treasure of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres

The Portuguese treasure of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres is made up of a Halo, Crown, Reliquary, Sceptre, and Cords. The Halo -- the Ex Libris of the treasure -- is the most opulent piece. It has been photographed and documented by international art authorities, and recently a congress in Spain declared it to be the most valuable piece of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula.

The Halo, of gold-plated platinum, is encrusted with 6,842 precious stones: topaz, rubies, amethysts, sapphires and more. The Halo is filled with symbolic elemenets of faith. The first is the Holy Trinity, represented by a trangle in the center. The Halo radiates out from this triangle to its edge. The second element is the Redeption of Christ, represented by the lamb on the cross, and by the book of the Seven Seals of the Apocalypse. The third element is the Eucharist, sumbolized by a bird, the pelican, by the Chalice and by the Ciboriium. The last symbol of the Halo is the Suffering of Christ, represented on the crown in equisite detail from the Tunic to the Cockerel of Suffering, to the Crown of Thorns, which is completely made of emeralds.

Island Convent Houses Portugal's 'Hidden Treasure'

The Crown is the most delicate piece of the treasure, weighing only 800 grams. Its1,082 precious stones, are each minutely worked. The actual thorns are tiny stones which decrease in size at the extremities.

The Reliquary is the most cryptic piece of this holy treasure. It contains 'Holy Wood', believed to be a splinter of the actual crucifix upon which Jesus was nailed.

The Sceptre is made up of 2,000 pearls which form a cob of cane -- 993 precious stones along the trunk and at the base, where the shining stones form a conjunction with gold filigree, and where the Cross of Christ is placed.

The Cords, 5.20 meters long, are double strands of pearls and precious stones, twisted with golden thread.

The treasure, yet to be definitively valued. can be viewed in the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperanca on the Azores.

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