Our last stop before going straight home (from this trip) was the Theotokos Shrine in Perrelos in Carcar. The famous shrine houses the giant statue of Our Lady of Family as well as the Theotokos icon (which means Mother of God in Greek).
When the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Family came to the Philippines, the founder of the shrine, Fr. John Rona, together with his brother, went to Candinal Vidal to pitch the idea of putting up a small venue where they could hold the Perpetual Dawn Rosary. Cardinal Vidal liked the idea. So, they began the search for the perfect spot where they could do the activity on a regular basis.
In 1992, the owner of the current property decided to sell the area at a very low price (5 pesos per sqm). So, construction of the shrine started immediately. During construction, a farmer found something. It was an antique base which is used to hold the receptacle in which the consecrated Host is exposed for adoration. The base bears the monogram AM (Ave Maria.) It was later discovered (and authenticated by a Vatican Iconographer) that the base was a 15th Century Byzantine religious relic.
On Sept 9, 1992, while Cardinal Vidal blessed the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, the famous ‘dancing sun’ appeared for the first time. This phenomenon attracted thousands of pilgrims, both old and new.
View of the giant statue of Our Lady of Fatima in Theotokos Shrine in Perrelos, Carcar.
Theotokos officially became a shrine of the Arcdiocese of Cebu in 1996.
The small chapel where services are regularly held.
The Theotokos icon. Below the icon are the words: Do Not Touch Her. She Will Touch You.
The 20-inch statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
Below the statue were the ‘seven deadly sins’. There was one faucet on top of each sin. I’m not exactly sure why, though.
Statue of the three visionaries.
Close-up of one of the statues.
Colored flags and some pretty-looking bougainvillea.
Quick shot of Arnold and Markki.
Photo of the antique base.
Marvelous view of the ocean as seen from the shrine.
How was the religious relic arrived in that area? And why it was buried in that place? God has ways.
indeed, sir 🙂
THEOTOKOS – greek word for Virgin Mary “God-bearer” = )
thanks masil! hahaha!
Thanks for this post. Haven’t been to the place yet, but ill make sure to find the time someday. Cheers always.
be sure to visit it next time
nice Ley, never been there, something to add to my list…
np mam luisa!
another place to visit someday, thanks Ley
np mam inday! 🙂
i think the faucet is used as a ritual to cleanse one’s sins.
ABOUT THE WATER, IT IS ANOTHER REVELATION OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN THAT AREA. THE LOCATION IS UP HILL AND BEFORE THEY DEVELOPED THAT PLACE THEY TRIED TO SEARCH FOR ANY WATER FLOW. BUT THERE WAS NONE, IT WAS EVEN IMPOSSIBLE THEN TO GET WATER FROM THE LOW LAND AREAS AND LET IT FLOW TOWARDS THE HILL. BUT TO WHERE THEY PLANNED TO LET THE GIGANTIC IMAGE OF MAMA MARY STAND, UNDERNEATH THEY SUDDENLY FOUND OVERFLOWING SOURCE OF WATER. UNTIL NOW WATER FLOWS OUT ABUNDANTLY. FR. RHONA SUGGESTED THAT YOU CAN COLLECT THE WATER AND HE WILL BLESSED IT AFTER.
galling kami sa lugar na yan dyan kami kinasal tumira kami kasama ng tatlong anak ko, nagging bahagi na ng buhay at pag ka tao naming ang lugar na yan
paano po ba ang papunta ng theotokos? galing po ako ng leyte…pag dating po ng cebu port.. saan po ba sasakay papunta dyan?
south bus terminal. get on a bus headed for carcar city. tell the conductor to drop you off at theotokos (perrelos , carcar city)
Hi. I read this in your post “The 20-inch statue of Our Lady of Fatima.”.
I think there’s something wrong with the measurement. Is it really in inches?
Thank you very much!
Hi panu po pumunta dito from the city? At panu po bumalik po sa city? Until what time po ang mga busses, tnx
Go to south bus terminal and get on a bus headed for carcar. Tell the conductor ure getting off sa theotokos shrine. Going back to the city, buses pass by the area frequently
Hello naa ba parkinganan didto and how many km ta walk from the parking lot to the shrine ug Pwede ba ang magwheelchair didto.
If wala nausab, pwede ra kapark sa taas. And pila lang ka meters away from the church ang lakwon
Unsay sakyan ani , gikan sa main road if gikan tag City ? Thank you