CHRONICLES OF CHURCHES, CHAPELS
The chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation (Annuciação de Nossa Senhora de Nazareth) is located on a hill in Nazareth Vaddo in Siridao village, but the locals call it the chapel of Jesus of Nazareth.
Earlier, one had to climb a few steps to reach it but now there is also a road that leads to it. Mass is celebrated here once a week on a weekday. The Chapel Feast is celebrated on the second Sunday of Easter, which this year falls on April 16. Here, the famous Pejechem Fest takes place.
ORIGIN
There are not many written records regarding its origin so one has to rely on the information provided by the locals. Fr Moreno de Souza, a Jesuit priest, in his book Tisvaddecho Igorjeo, states that it was built by the Dominican priests and its construction began on July 8, 1604. The original structure was a dome-like structure. In the centre of the inner part of the dome is a wooden image of the Annunciation, which has now been painted.
On one side encased in glass is the image of St Mary Magdalene (she was earlier the patron of the Siridao church) and on the other side is the image of Christ the King. There are also openings in the walls of the dome, which suggest that it was a place to keep the Torah (the first books of the Old Testament); this resembles that of a synagogue.
Around this inner dome is another dome with windows. The chapel also had a circular pulpit, with an opening in it, which must have been used to keep a table to place the Torah. This pulpit no longer exists now.
Some say the Chapel was built in memory of the departed souls, who passed away due to the cholera epidemic in Siridao in 1790 and 1810.
DEVELOPMENTS
When the dome of the Chapel showed signs of wear and tear, it was repaired in 1906 by Adv Prudente Menezes. The front portion of the Chapel was also extended. In this extended portion is a huge image of Jesus of Nazareth, which is venerated by the faithful; they place flowers at its feet, and make a vow ‘Saiba, maka borem kor, hanv tujea paiam kodde ieun pez jevtam. (Lord, please cure me; I will sit at your feet and eat Pez).
TUNNEL
It is said there is a tunnel under this chapel, which the locals believe passes under the sea to Dona Paula or San Jacinto Island. This was done by the Portuguese during those days for protection.
FEAST
The faithful celebrate the Feast on the second Sunday of Easter. This is because, the huge statue of Jesus of Nazareth, belonged to this chapel, but was kept in the Goa Velha church. The faithful brought it from there with a huge procession on this Sunday. Prior to the Feast is the Maddi and the Novena, which are held in the evening in a big pandal. On the Feast Day, thousands of devotes from all over Goa and beyond come here to worship here.
PEJECHEM FEST
In the past, pilgrims from far away would come for the Feast, either walking or sailing in canoes and catamarans, singing and playing the Ghumot from as far as Sanvordem and Sanguem. They would anchor behind the Chapel and climb up the hill. Every house in the village would accommodate them and even provide them free meals.
Once the Feast Mass is over, the statue of Our Lady of Annunciation is taken in procession in the marked area. People then stand in a queue for the Pez, which is served free to all the devotees. The Pez given here seems to have a healing effect.
Though it is a Catholic feast, the Dempo family, the bhatkars of this area, serve the Pez, which is cooked by married women (Soyasini) in a palm enclosure (Mol’lancho Mattov) in seven vessels. Pez is served first at the Xim’ before serving the people – a custom that honours the dead. Then, it is served in traditional Goan bowls (Maltuli or Kholeachem Aidonn) to the devotees, free of cost.
(The writer is Superior at Casa Professa, Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa)
