Church of Saints Cosme and Damião

The Church of Saints Cosme and Damião (Portuguese: Igreja dos Santos Cosme e Damião), officially called the Igreja Matriz de São Cosme e São Damião, is a Catholic church located in the city of Igarassu, Pernambuco.[1]

It is the oldest church in Brazil, according to the Brazilian National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage.[2]

History

The Church of Saints Cosme and Damião started being built in 1535, when Duarte Coelho, grantee of the Captaincy of Pernambuco, landed in Igarassu to take control of the territory, donated to him by the Portuguese crown. The church was completed in the 17th century.[2]

A miracle that supposedly happened in Igarassu in 1685 is attributed to the saints Cosme e Damião, an outbreak of yellow fever occurred in the cities of Recife, Olinda, Itamaracá and Goiana, but it did not spread to Igarassu.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Igarassu: the oldest church in Brazil". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Igarassu (PE)". IPHAN (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 June 2016.

Coordinates: 7°50′03″S 34°54′23″W / 7.8340745°S 34.9063078°W / -7.8340745; -34.9063078


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