Living symbol of tradition, this church
was built to replace the original one which was no longer large enough.
Building started around 1852 and was only completed 20 years later.
The faithful all contributed to the construction working each Sunday
after the Mass until sunset.
The sanctuary, as in all oriental churches, is separated from the
nave by an iconostasis or a wooden partition covered with paintings
of saints.
This iconostasis, primary intended for the convent of Grotta-Ferrata,
near Rome, was a gift from the Congregation of Propaganda to the
colony.It dates from 1886.
Of the two side chapels, the one on the right is dedicated to the
" Panaghia " or "Toute Sainte", patron saint of
the Congregationalists of the Virgin, and the one on the left to Saint
Spyridon. patron saint of the brotherhood of the same name to which
all the Greeks belong from birth as do more than a third of the Catholic
population. |
For Services and ceremonies, the congregation follow
almost exactly the rite of Athens and of Constantinople, as do the
Greek-Catholic colonies of Paris, Lyon. and Marseilles.Ancient Greek
is still the liturgical language, whereas modern Greek tends to
disappear nowadays from spoken conversation.
Of great help to the parishioners, enabling them to read and understand
the services is the fact that prayer-books are available containing
the original texts in Roman characters as well as the French transation.
The two most important solemn occasions attracting many people,
are :
- the Eastern Monday ceremony with the blessing of the countryside.
- the Saint Spyridon fete day, the saint's day of Cargèse. vihicn
is celebrated on 12th December
Baptism
is given as in oriental churches by triple immersion. The priest
then confirms the child, who takes communion with wine with the
aid of a spoon.
The faithful take communion by taking both breed
end wine.
The wedding ceremony involves the placing of crowns, one with vine
leaves and the other with an olive branch.
Cargèse has approximately 300 parishioners of the Greek faith. |