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In 1817, the non-Greek heads
of families decided collectively to launch a subscription for the
construction of a church for the Roman Catholic faith. A certain Antoine
Andréani at that time donated a plot of land. But times were hard...
Work on the building only started eight years later. The construction work
lasted from 1825 to 1828. "Help" was even required from the Ministry of
Religion.
Documents in the archives mention repairs undertaken on several occasions.
For instance in 1835 the roof was blown off by the wind and in 1845 the
interior fittings had still not been completed. Lastly, the erection of the
bell tower was only start in 1847.
The present church has a single nave with two semi-circular side chapels.
The choir is separated from the nave by a set of steps and a communion
table.
The barrel vault rests on a cornice with ornamental mouldings supported by
Corinthian pilasters.
The building has retained a neo-Classical flavour (first half of the 19th
century).
The mural paintings at the choir have recently been restored.
A square bell tower, topped by an octagonal turret, rises to the north side
of the church.
The front facade is divided by flat pilasters and sapped by an undulating
pediment.
To each side the facade has high windows giving light directly into the nave.
The chevet of the church is semi-circular. As a whole the building is
homogeneous and has much to fascinate the visitor.
It is interesting to note that the Greek priest, Elie PAPADACCI, at that
time adopted the Roman Catholic faith, and he was followed by the PETROLACCI
family as well as part of the DRAGACCI family.
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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 church, is separated from the nave by an
iconostasis or a wooden partition covered in paintings of Saints.
This iconostasis, first of all intended foe 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 alcoves 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 side 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.
The
first of these icons is to rear of the church, the three others are in or
ear the sanctuary.
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-book are available containing the original texts in Roman
characters as well as the French translation.
The most important occasions, attracting many people, are:
- The Easter Monday ceremony with the blessing of the countryside;
- The Saint Spyridon fete day, the Saint's day of Cargèse which 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 af a
spoon.
The faithful take communion by taking both bread and wine.
The weeding ceremony involves the placing of crowns, one with the vine
leaves and the other with an olive branch. Cargèse has approximately 300
parishioners of the Greek faith.
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