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Key information
Chapel of Saint Sebastian the Martyr
High altar
Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian Oil painting by Pedro de Orrente
(1580-1645)
One of the most importants masterpieces of this Cathedral, following the tenebrist style of Bassano and Caravaggio.
Saint Sebastian was a military officer of the palatial guard of the Roman Emperor Diocleciano. Acccused of being Christian, he was condemned to be shot with arrows by his colleagues. He was found alive by the Christians and once he was recovered by Saint Irene, he appeared before the Emperor to accuse him of his injustices to the Christians, and then he was flogged until death. He is called, therefore, “the Double Martyr”. He was highly venerated as patron saint against the plague. His feast day is on 20th January.
Above the altar
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Oil painting on metal by Vicente Gay
(1941)
A classic image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which is a modern version, made in Italy, of the Marian icon called “of the terrible help” and also “Virgin of the Passion”, because the Child Jesus seems to be frightened by the angels, who show the instruments of the Passion: the Cross, the Crown of Thorns, the Holy Lance and the Holy Sponge set on a reed. Blessed Mother Mary shows a sorrowful countenance because she knows the prediction of the death of her Divine Child Jesus.
The devotion to this Marian advocation was spread, together with this image, by the Congregation of the Redemptorists, from the Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori from Rome, where the original image is kept. The traits more hieratic of the eastern icon have become more natural in the modern occidental versions.
Left side
Sepulchre
Sepulchre of Mr. Diego de Covarrubias, Marquis of Albaida (+ 1607).
Right side
Sepulchre
Sepulchre of Mrs. María Díez de Covarrubias, the wife of Mr. Diego de Covarrubias.
Pavement, in front of the fence
Tomb
Tomb of the venerable Gregorio Ridaura, beneficiary of the Cathedral.
