quarta-feira, 7 de dezembro de 2011

Immaculate Conception


" Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception"
Portugal, 18th century


December 8th is a religious holiday in Portugal. King John IV (1604-1656) of Portugal proclaimed Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception as the Patron Saint of Portugal. When he was crowned he offered his crown to the Virgin who also became Queen of Portugal. For this reason all the Portuguese kings that followed have never worn a crown.

A few years ago, Mother´s Day was commemorated on this date, but it changed afterwards to the first Sunday in May.

King John IV received a very refined education and showed great appreciation for the arts and music. He was also a music composer and owned the largest music library in Europe.There is a myth that the hymn Adeste Fidelis was found in the Palace of Vila Viçosa 100 years before it was attributed in England to John Francis Wade, but according to the Portuguese music historian Rui Vieira Nery that is not true.







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