Theotokos Archdiocesan Shrine is a Roman Catholic and Marian shrine located in Perrelos Hill, Carcar City, Cebu, Philippines. Founded in 1992, it became a shrine in 1996 by a decree issued by the Archdiocese of Cebu.
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History
The word theotokos means Mother of God. Its shrine in Perrelos Hill was founded by brothers Jose and Fr. John Rona in the afterglow of the visit of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima to the country in 1992. The brothers proposed to the Archdiocese of Cebu for a regular dawn rosary in devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
In that same year, the site of the shrine was sold at a bargain price in favor of the founders and church-building commenced. As the lot was prepared to give way to the construction, a farmer by the name of Ruperto de Gracia chanced upon a curious object when he was furrowing the field with his plow. It turned out to be a Byzantine relic from the 15th century. A statue of Our Lady of Fatima facing the southeastern board was built on the location of the discovery, and the image was blessed by Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal on September 9, 1992.
Various miracles reportedly occurred in the shrine. The sun was said to change color or spin in what was described as “dancing sun” every 13th of the month and during procession and dawn rosary. Such phenomenon prompted the Archdiocese to issue a statement to temper the excited attention it attracted and for the pilgrims to focus on Marian devotion and liturgical services.
Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal declared Theotokos an Archdiocesan shrine on October 13, 1996. At the time of the issuance of Vidal’s decree, a 17th-century image of Mary, Theotokos (Mother of God), was donated by Atty. Manuel Go who bought it from an antique store in Poland.
Architecture
An arch supported by columns of composite capitals greets pilgrims at the entrance of the shrine and it bears the words, “Theotokos Diocesan Shrine, Ania ang imong inahan Jn.19.27” (Behold, your mother). By the gates is a bare wall rises that also bears its name.
The shrine is located in a hilltop overlooking the Cebu strait where the island of Bohol can be seen in the distance. Several structures can be found including the huge statue of the Blessed Virgin on a cylindrical pedestal, a chapel, votive candle stand, and the church.
Its facade is modern and a combination of trusses, edges, and curves. Its nave walls are pierced and rectilinear, and so is its main entrance that has an overhang for its portico. In its upper deck is a stained glass and in the middle in the shape of an eye is the image of the patroness. Its roof is barrel-vaulted.
Services
Every 12th of the month, confession is scheduled from 8:00 in the evening until dawn, mass (10:00-11:00 PM), and a vigil (11:00 PM to 2:00 AM).
Every 13th of the month, there is a dawn rosary (2:00-3:00 AM) and mass (10:00-11:00 AM).
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Theotokos Archdiocesan Shrine in Perrelos Hill, Carcar City, Cebu from June 9, 2025 to June 15, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Carcar City.
Monday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Tuesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Wednesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 4:00-5:00 PM
Thursday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Friday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 4:00-5:00 PM
Saturday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Sunday
- 8:00-9:00 AM
- 10:00-11:00 AM
- 4:00-5:00 PM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Theotokos Archdiocesan Shrine in Perrelos Hill, Carcar City, Cebu |
| Address | Perrelos, Carcar City, Cebu 6019 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | (032) 353 2175, (032) 487-0532, 487-8570, 0919 536 6425 |
| web.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Founder | Jose and Fr. John Rona |
| Established | 1992 |
| Age | 33 years |
| Status | Archdiocesan Shrine |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu |
| District | District III – Southeast Cebu |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of St. Catherine of Alexandria |
| Patron | Mary, Mother of God |
Nearby Churches
- Archbishop Teofilo Camomot Shrine
- Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Carcar, Cebu
- Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church in Ocaña, Carcar City, Cebu
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Chaplaincy in Sangat, San Fernando, Cebu
- San Agustin de Hippo Parish Church in Magsico, San Fernando, Cebu
- San Isidro Labrador Church in San Fernando, Cebu
- San Isidro Labrador Parish Church in Calidngan, Carcar City, Cebu
- San Jose Church in Rosario, Aloguinsan, Cebu
- San Roque Parish Church in Valladolid, Carcar City, Cebu
- San Vicente Ferrer Chapel in San Fernando, Cebu
References
- Archdiocese of Cebu. Claretian Publications. Retrieved February 5, 2023
- Wenceslao: ‘Talking’ Sto. Niño icon, dancing sun. Sunstar. January 31, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2023
- Cardinal calls a halt to promotion of ‘dancing sun’ phenomenon. Union of Catholic Asian News. April 4, 1993. Retrieved February 5, 2023
- Bible Mission: Theotokos Shrine, Carcar. Daughters of St. Paul. April 29, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2023