Sanctuary of the Virgin of Chapi

Arequipa

In a desolate landscape of the Andes, at 2,420 meters above sea level and 60 km. from Arequipa, in the district of Polobaya on the old road leading to Moquegua, is venerated a picture of Our Lady of Purification or Candelaria, also known as the Virgin of Chapi, whose worship in this place dates back to the eighteenth century and growing daily.
It is difficult to point the exactly the origin of this lovely arequipeño people's devotion to the Blessed Virgin, associated with the first evangelizers of the screed. It has an old tradition that the image was found on a hill adjacent to Churajón. Pocsi pastor belonged to Chapi, so that the Indians "could better fulfill their duties as christians", ordered the transfer of the image to Sogay village near Quequeña. He argued to the church, moreover, that "Chapi ravine was sparsely populated because of water scarcity not allow planting, and for this reason the chapel built there was almost abandoned. " Obeying the order, we proceeded to transfer the image. He had already gone a long way, when the procession paused to rest and recuperate. It was at that time the wind began to intensify, resulting in a sandstorm, the next day they try again but even the chargers efforts failed to lift the image. They try again and again, without achieving the goal. The fact was given by miraculous event being interpreted as the will of the Virgin to her image was venerated, on, on the spot where stood immovable. Then there was a small chapel erected for their worship.

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