Alcalà de Xivert
Juan Monreal adds to the Alcala de Xivert artistic heritage
The Bishop blesses a 7m x 3.5m canvas in the parish church
![[Img #47380]](upload/img/periodico/img_47380.jpg)
The Castellón painter, Juan Manuel Monreal Roures has just fulfilled a dream, a desire to have a work in the town of his ancestors, Alcala de Xivert. On Sunday, 24th January, the Bishop of Tortosa, at the request of the Brotherhood of Sant Sepulchro, blessed the enormous canvas measuring 7 metres high and three metres wide which is in pride of place on the altar in the Saint Sepulchre chapel in the St. John the Baptist parish church.
The church was full with members, parishioners and friends of the artist there to take part in the solemn mass and subsequent blessing of the work. The picture shows the Ascension of Jesus Christ into the sky, under the perplexed gaze of his apostles. After the religious ceremony, a lunch was held in the local pensioners’ hall, where keepsakes were given to all those people who had made donations for the restoration of the altar. The work cost about 50,000 euros, of which 20% came from the brotherhood’s funds and 80% from donations. In addition, the brotherhood’s committee, the local Council, mossen Carlos, the parish priest, and Rigo Ebrí all had an important role throughout the day, which was spent in a festive and friendly atmosphere.
The Castellón painter, Juan Manuel Monreal Roures has just fulfilled a dream, a desire to have a work in the town of his ancestors, Alcala de Xivert. On Sunday, 24th January, the Bishop of Tortosa, at the request of the Brotherhood of Sant Sepulchro, blessed the enormous canvas measuring 7 metres high and three metres wide which is in pride of place on the altar in the Saint Sepulchre chapel in the St. John the Baptist parish church.
The church was full with members, parishioners and friends of the artist there to take part in the solemn mass and subsequent blessing of the work. The picture shows the Ascension of Jesus Christ into the sky, under the perplexed gaze of his apostles. After the religious ceremony, a lunch was held in the local pensioners’ hall, where keepsakes were given to all those people who had made donations for the restoration of the altar. The work cost about 50,000 euros, of which 20% came from the brotherhood’s funds and 80% from donations. In addition, the brotherhood’s committee, the local Council, mossen Carlos, the parish priest, and Rigo Ebrí all had an important role throughout the day, which was spent in a festive and friendly atmosphere.
