allaboutmary:The high altar of the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice decorated for th
allaboutmary: The high altar of the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice decorated for the annual feast in honour of Our Lady of Health, the patroness of the city. At the centre of the altar the 13th century Greek icon of the Madonna of Health is enshrined. In 1621 Venice was struck by a terrible plague. Many Venetians came to pray before the icon and asked for deliverance. The majority of the population was saved and the Venetian Republic decided to build a church dedicated to Mary as thanksgiving. -- source link
#liturgy#sacred architecture#blessed virgin