Nostra Senyora de Meritxell
Nostra Senyora de Meritxell ("Feast of the Virgin of Meritxell") is a national holiday in Andorra , which is celebrated on September 8th . The patron saint of the country and the founding of the principality in 1278 are commemorated .
origin
The pilgrimage church Santuari de Meritxell in Andorra houses a Romanesque Madonna figure, which is considered the country's patron saint. The original and the church fell victim to a fire in 1972. The statue that is venerated today is a faithful copy. Santuari de Meritxell also houses famous statues of the patron saints of the parishes in Andorra.
At the same time, the Andorran National Day commemorates the founding of the Principality of Andorra. The basis is the Pareatges Treaty, which the Bishop Pere d'Urtx on September 8, 1278 in Lleida with the Count of Foix, Roger Bernard III. , lock. With this treaty Andorra became a co-principality.
Customs
Several services are held on Nostra Senyora de Meritxell in the pilgrimage church of Santuari de Meritxell. Pilgrims come to Meritxell to worship the Virgin and to seek intercession. A concert and a torchlight procession are an integral part of the celebrations.