Coming to Bac Ninh, people immediately think of the Lac Viet cultural cradle, the gentle folk songs … But do not forget there is also Bac Ninh Cathedral – the ancient 127-year-old Cathedral with ants. Unique architecture of art.
Introduction to Bac Ninh Cathedral
Bac Ninh Cathedral is located at Ngo Gia Tu street, Ninh Xa, Bac Ninh province. The church is located in the heart of Bac Ninh city centerand is only 300m from the ancient citadel of Bac Ninh. In 1889, Bishop Antonio Le – The first bishop chose to buy the land here and started building the church together with the Archdiocese. After 3 years of construction, in 1892, the Bac Ninh Cathedral was officially inaugurated. Since then, this is the place to gather regular activities of religious beliefs of Bac Ninh parishioners and surrounding areas.
Bac Ninh Cathedral Church During the fierce war years, many historical works were severely damaged. But over a hundred years of ups and downs, Bac Ninh Cathedral still steadily overcame bombs and moss of the years and became a symbol of Kinh Bac diocese, a “legacy of faith”. keep the eloquent historical proofs of the nation. Thanks to that, despite many difficulties in the life of faith, the stubborn faith of Bac Ninh diocese is still steadfast.
An ancient photo of the old Bac Ninh Cathedral
The unique architecture of Bac Ninh Cathedral
Bac Ninh Cathedral was built in the unique Italian Baroque architecture that was formed in the sixteenth century. The church space was built according to a cross-shaped structure and obeyed the typical symmetry rule of Renaissance church architecture. The church is about 45m long, 12m wide, made up of 12 main two-story rectangular columns representing the 12 apostles, divided equally by six rows on each side.
Bac Ninh Cathedral has a bold Italian style of Baroque architecture From a distance, you will be extremely impressed with the appearance of Bac Ninh Cathedral . The first highlight is the front of the church with two 22m high towers. This tower is made up of 4 stacked box-shaped blocks and the top is the pyramid. There is an opinion that these two towers represent instant brother and sister are standing and lifting the cap. Inside the two towers are three bronze bells hung from the construction of the church. For more than a century, the familiar soaring bell of Bac Ninh church still resounds throughout the streets. That bell has become an indispensable part of the religious life in particular and in the Quan homeland in general.
Architectural facade of the church In front of the church we can easily recognize many symbolic images of Our Lady. At the top is the symbol of Mau Tam with the heart shape combined with the crown. Right below that is the crown of the throne with four flowers representing Our Lady of the Rosary. The two sides are engraved with two episcopal crests that are believed to have belonged to Bishop Annio Colossi at Mass and Archbishop Macedonian Van Lat-Co Kham. Below are four roses engraved in the 100-year-old church anniversary, symbolizing the devotion of Our Lady. Under the church hallway arranged three doors, a large door at the front and two small side doors. This is quite similar to Tam Quan village gate in Vietnamese villages.
Bac Ninh Cathedral includes three entrances, one main aisle and two side aisles Going inside the church, you will probably be even more impressed with the space here. A large space, airy and full of shimmering light every morning when the morning sun shines down. The sanctuary is the center of the church with a very unique and delicate design with thousands of pieces of red incense interlaced. The roof of the church is built of wood in the style of knitting lattice. The two sides are glass paintings depicting the portraits of 4 Evangelists and depicting the 20 mysteries of the Rosary. The highlight of the sanctuary is the Cross made of large red incense wood and the “Suffering” statue carved by monolithic Pomu wood. Above the altar there are 12 reliefs depicting the first 12 parish churches established when the new diocese was born in 1883.
The whole space inside the sanctuary At the end of the church is the Orthodox – where the episcopal throne represents the presence and governance of the Diocesan Rightsholder. The Holy Table, Chairs and Platform are made of delicate carved red incense wood that symbolizes the harmony of heaven and earth and eternal eternity of Christianity.
To the left of the sanctuary is the oldest statue of the Queen of the Holy Rosary in the Diocese. According to the recorded document, this statue was given to the church by the Spanish Dominican Fathers on the occasion of its inauguration in 1892. The soft, gentle appearance makes the statue more lively and bold. Live the Faith. Opposite to the right side of the sanctuary is the statue of St. Joseph Hoang Luong Canh, holding a celestial branch in hand. During the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, he courageously maintained his faith by affirming “God is Patriarch” and was martyred on September 5, 1838 at the Co-Me school. On May 27, 1900, Pope Leo XIII honored him as Blessed of the Church. On June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II honored him as the Hien Saint.
The Main Hall area is highlighted by a large oak cross
Bac Ninh Cathedral – destination not to be missed
Bac Ninh Cathedral has undergone a restoration in 1990, but this place still intact the inherent ancient architecture. Today, this place hosts regular religious activities of parishioners. Every Sunday everyone comes to church together and pray. Today, this place becomes a destination for many parishioners in the area as well as tourists and young people to explore.
A meeting at Bac Ninh Cathedral
And definitely indispensable in the Christmas holiday
luhanhvietnam/Photo: Internet
Đăng bởi: Đức Vũ
