The Minor Basilica of Saint Nicholas de Tolentino,[1] also known as the Shrine of Santo Cristo Milagroso or Sinait Basilica, is a Roman Catholicchurch in the municipality of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, in northern Philippines. The church is known for housing the El Santo Cristo Milagroso, a life-sized dark-skinned image of crucified Christ.[2] It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Tolentino and is under the administration of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.[3] In May 2021, it was granted the title of minor basilica, the 19th in the Philippines and the first in its archdiocese.[2][4]
History
The reredo of the Sinait Basilica, with the Santo Cristo Milagroso image enshrined at the lower center.
It was founded in 1574[5] and was completed in 1598, making it as one of the oldest religious buildings in the Philippines and the region. The Augustinianfriars initially administered the church until it was transferred to the secular clergy in 1772 before being returned in 1854 to the Augustinians.[2][6]
The 400-year old image of El Santo Cristo Milagroso shares its history with the La Virgen Milagrosa, a Marian image enshrined in the Saint John the Baptist Basilica in the neighboring Badoc.
Local accounts tell that in 1620, both the images of Santo Cristo Milagroso and Virgen Milagrosa were found in a floating crate at the boundary of the present-day barangays of Dadalaquiten Norte in Sinait, and Paguetpet in Badoc. The image of the crucified Christ went on to be enshrined in Sinait, while the Marian image was brought to Badoc. Devotees fondly call the image as Apo Lakay, and is attributed with providing miraculous healing.
The devotion to the Santo Cristo Milagroso draws multitude of pilgrims to the church of Sinait especially every Friday, earning the municipality the moniker "Quiapo of the North". A smaller image of Santo Cristo Milagroso is also installed in a small chapel in the shore of Dadalaquiten Norte where it was found.[2][4][5][6][9]
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