Senor de los Milagros

By: Lindsay Wolfe

History History •

In Peru, many Peruvians celebrate Christian holidays each year. October is known as the purple month because this is when Christians wear purple as they take part in Senor de los Milagros, the Lord of Miracles. Some may say that in 1651 that an African slave painted the image on the wall of a building in the Pachacamilla area of Peru.

Slaves during this time would come to the wall. They brought Gifts and they would often pray in front of it.

• This painting is also know as ‘The Black Christ’ or ‘The Christ of Pachacamilla’.

• • This Image shows a picture

of Jesus Christ on the cross. Above the cross is God and that holy spirit, On the bottom right of the image is the Virgin Mary heartbroken because of the death of Jesus. On the Bottom right is Mary Magdalene.

• This photo is found in Lima, Peru.

In 1655, a devastating earthquake hit that area. In 1655, a devastating earthquake hit that area. This earthquake would destroy all the walls of the This earthquake would destroy all the walls of the building this painting was in building this painting was in EXCEPT EXCEPT the wall with the wall with the painting of Jesus Christ. Although no one the painting of Jesus Christ. Although no one seemed to take interest in this fact. But In 1670, a seemed to take interest in this fact. But In 1670, a local man found the image and built a shrine local man found the image and built a shrine around it. It is also said that this many was cursed around it. It is also said that this many was cursed with a life-threatening tumor and that he was with a life-threatening tumor and that he was cured due to this devotion to this image on the cured due to this devotion to this image on the wall. It was that at that point, the public began to wall. It was that at that point, the public began to worship the image. Simply because they believed worship the image. Simply because they believed it would heal or better them. Although this was it would heal or better them. Although this was seen to be a good thing, church authorities seen to be a good thing, church authorities started to worry that it would affect the order in started to worry that it would affect the order in the church. There solution was to hire another the church. There solution was to hire another painter to cover the image, none would take the painter to cover the image, none would take the job on with fear that they could be cursed.job on with fear that they could be cursed.

Celebration!Celebration!

• This is again Purple Purple Month. • But the main event takes place on October 18th. This 24

hour event starts at the Church of Nazarenes. • Christ's image sits on top of a 2 ton litter that is

decorated with silver, gold, and flowers. It is carried by men in all purple. They pray and sing as they carry the image across downtime Lima till they reach the Church of La Merced in Barrios Altos. Hundreds of thousands of people gather on the street to join hoping for the healing powers the image is known to with hold. They also give out delicious Peruvian desserts and the famous soft nougat candy made only during this time.