We saw this shrine when we were passing by San Nicholas Street in Binondo. What piqued my interest is the presence of the crucifix and incense sticks at the same place. To add, there are also sampaguita garlands and structure of school of fish above the crucifix. At first glance, it is clearly a fusion of Christian and Chinese beliefs.
We approached the shrine and noted that there are (guide) prayers pasted beside the crucifix. Written on foot of the cross is “Santo Cristo De Longos”. We later found out that the original miraculous image is housed in the side entrance (Ongpin Street) of Binondo church.
I used incense sticks for the second time (the first was in A-ma Temple in Macau) and oddly erred (though I have seen several times in the movies how it should be done) because I burned the other end. Probably I was too consumed that time by the history of Santo Cristo De Longos.
Story tells that a mute-deaf Chinese found the image of the crucified Christ in this particular spot (i.e. it was an old well). Incidentally, he regained his speech after that.
Accepting the miracle, the parish priest of the Church of Hospital De San Gabriel made a cross for the crucified image. When the church was destroyed by the 1883 earthquake, the image was transferred to its current location, Binondo Church.
Something is still unknown to me. Would you know the story/reason why there is a fish design on the shrine?
0 thoughts on “Santo Cristo de Longos Shrine”
fortuitous faery
i’ve seen this shrine! i like how it’s almost hidden in a sidestreet that people can easily miss when they don’t know about the place.
perhaps the fish is simply something biblical with reference to jesus telling us to be “fishers of men?” some churches also have symbols of the fish etched in their decorations. our church has it.
see here:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_symb.htm
.-= fortuitous faery´s last blog .."Give A Day, Get A Disney Day!" =-.
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witsandnuts
Yes, we almost missed it. I actually didn’t know about it. Thanks for the explanation about the fish. 🙂
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upto6only
you’ll never noticed that one talaga unless yoiu know na meron palang shrine duon.
.-= upto6only´s last blog ..A Day At The Zoo =-.
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sheng
But it’s good, whatever our religions are, we believe in the same God.
.-= sheng´s last blog ..To my Only Son =-.
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BlogusVox
It exemplify how innovative the Catholic church in order to attract followers. Do you know that during Jesus’ time people sports short hair because of the Roman influence. Only later did a pope ordered that He be portrayed with long hair in order to convert pagan barbaric Germanic tribes to embrace the Catholic faith.
.-= BlogusVox´s last blog ..On Commercial Ads =-.
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dennis
I always light a candle in this shrine evrytime I go to Ongpin. I think that the Filipino-Chinese have already integrated their traditinal beliefs into the Catholic beliefs.
.-= dennis´s last blog ..Don Conrado Escudero: Custodian of Memory =-.
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jeanny
ah may ganyan pala dun…hindi ko yan napapansin. Next time na magmaligaw ako dun I will visit that! Thanks for sharing 🙂
.-= jeanny´s last blog ..New Do =-.
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Photo Cache
I didn’t realize there is a wrong way and a right way to burn incense. Haven’t done that yet kasi. Was almost tempted at a temple in Malacca.
This shrine is worth sharing to people like me who knew nothing about its existence. Thanks.
.-= Photo Cache´s last blog ..Go confidently….. =-.
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witsandnuts
The two ends of the incense stick differ. Iba yung shape nung sa bottom (so that the stick will stand). Supposedly yung top ang sisindihan, I burned the other end.
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kg
agree ako kay sheng! religion doesn’t really matter. basta we believe in God, a supreme being. sa akin no problem using insense. eh kung yun ang way nila to show respect diba?
i think foruitous faery’s explanation for the fish is correct. at least in my opinion! 🙂
.-= kg´s last blog ..Are you gross enough? =-.
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bw
very true ! It’s a cultural mix indeed. In fact, Catholicism in Pinas is unique because it is a fusion of the religion and tribal practices 😯
.-= bw´s last blog ..Do I Need a Netbook? =-.
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redlan
baka ang santo cristo de longos ay patron saint ng mga mangingisda kaya may mga fish sign
.-= redlan´s last blog ..PERSONAL UPDATE- THE BAD/WILD/WEIRD SIDE OF ME =-.
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docgelo
i never miss to notice this small shrine whenever i go to ongpin. like you, i was initially surpised to see incense in front of a crucifix but knowing that religion in the Philippines is as rich as its culture, it’s not a really that puzzling.
btw, thanks for visiting and commenting on my posts (from dennis villegas’ blog). swing by again for the rest of my boracay series. salamat!
.-= docgelo´s last blog ..BORACAY SERIES : OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME =-.
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Marites
hmm…meron pala nito sa Ongpin. Sana, makabalik sa lugar na iyan nang makuhanan ko rin ng litrato. I saw both the cross and the incense on display together in many fil-chinese cemeteries. I think, it’s an indication of our mixed race and fusion of beliefs. A real Filipino.
.-= Marites´s last blog ..Litratong Pinoy#72 Masinop (Frugal) =-.
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luna miranda
i guess the fish design is a Chinese influence—fish is one of the traditional Taoist architectural motifs. it implies weatlh and fortune.
i’m glad you enjoyed my LP post. i had fun writing it.:p
*hugs you back*
.-= luna miranda´s last blog ..Masinop ka ba? [Litratong Pinoy] =-.
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Angeli
you were here for like a week lang diba? pero andami mong places na napuntahan! and it looks like you really had fun. 🙂
.-= Angeli´s last blog ..Classroom Management =-.
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Rico
Sabi na nga ba eh! Looks familiar. Binondo pala. I am a bit puzzled by the mix in symbolisms used nowadays in churches. Madalas yung Chinese religion and practices trancend into the Catholic religion. Medyo confusing tuloy kung anu ba talaga. Isn’t this sacrilegious to the two faiths?
.-= Rico´s last blog ..the window =-.
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blue rose
meron palang shrine don. hindi ko napansin yan ng pumunta kami ng binondo.
agree din ako sa sinabi ni sheng.
.-= blue rose´s last blog ..beautiful but small! =-.
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aLine
we used to go there and pray make a wish.. 🙂
.-= aLine´s last blog ..Blast from the past… =-.
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PM
that is an interesting photo. pati religion may halo-halo version.
.-= PM´s last blog ..Sunshine Flavored Ice Cream =-.
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Rach (Heart of Rachel)
I have also observed similar fusion of religious practices. Great shots!
.-= Rach (Heart of Rachel)´s last blog ..Aloha Friday #78 =-.
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Annie
I love this shrine!
.-= Annie´s last blog ..PhotoHunt: Tied =-.
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