The current church of the Santissimo Crocifisso dell'Olmo dates back to 1756. The same site knew a primitive structure dedicated to the Madonna dell'Itria and dating back to the X-XI century. Over the centuries the church acquired other names: - Our Lady of Grace - Crucifix of the Graces; - Olmo Crucifix. From the news received by the historian Di Giorgio Ingala, the very first building (in Norman style, with pointed arches and historiated vaults) was commissioned by Count Ruggero, to ensure that the Christian faith would be reborn, a faith that had been hindered by the domination of the Arabs .
Instead, the current temple was commissioned in the second half of the 1700s by the Messina noble Filippo Bivona, who had escaped the plague and had developed deep devotion to the Crucifix in Mazarin. It was the marquis who wanted the construction of the bell tower and the furnishings (as can be seen from the epigraph placed on the entrance door of the church).
The church consists of three naves, the main altar houses the wooden crucifix, while in the two lateral naves there are altars dominated by paintings of skilled manufactures.
In the right aisle are depicted: - The Magdalene; -Our Lady of Itria; -The Holy Family. While the left aisle is occupied by canvases representing: -Saint Michael the Archangel; -Our Lady of Monserrato; -Our Lady of Grace. In the basement there are still the remains of the first edition of the church, and like most of the churches of the time, the strainers are arranged in the single nave, and a room adjacent to the nave used as an ossuary.
The church of the SS.mo Crocifisso dell'Olmo is open to the public in the month of May for the celebrations in honor of the co-patron of the city, for the funerals of the confreres and during the Christmas period, on the occasion of setting up the crib.
This church, which is dedicated to the Holy Cross (Latin “Santa Croce”), draws its patronage from the cross on which Jesus Christ died. The veneration of the Holy Cross goes back to a large extent to Saint Helena, who was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great (who recognized Christianity as a religion after his victory at the “Milvian Bridge” in front of Rome and in the year 312 for a long time the persecution ended with the “tolerance edict” of Milan). In the early fourth century she undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel / Palestine) and from there brought numerous relics with her to Europe, including the "True Cross" on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Helena is therefore often depicted with a cross as an attribute. The church celebrates the festival of the discovery, public presentation and veneration of the Holy Cross – called “Exaltation of the Cross” – on September 14th.
Translated by Google •
In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!