Photos of The Largest Jesus Statue in Africa Catholic Church

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Before we show you pictures of the unveiling of the largest statue of Christ on the African continent, we do not aim at these words to insult or attack, but to patch!

Many, unfortunately, believe many Christians and non-Christians believe that the Apostolic Church, specifically Catholicism, glorifies the statues or claims that we worship idolatry, stone images, and worship.

Photos of The Largest Jesus Statue in Africa Catholic Church

All this nonsense is empty rhetoric and a misunderstanding of Catholic doctrine.

I began with these words to emphasize that the Apostolic Church does not worship statues or prostrate idols, as heretics claim. These statues and images represent the person no more and no less.

Every Critic Knows That

We, as Christians, worship the person of the Lord Jesus Christ alone and worship him alone because he is the true God. All these statues and icons, in our view, are symbolic.

Largest Statue of Jesus Christ in Africa

Now let us return to our subject and display these images of the statue of Christ placed in a churchyard in southeastern Nigeria. Despite the terrorism and attacks against the Christians of Nigeria, this did not prevent them from continuing to declare their love for Jesus and their attachment to their Christian faith, which carries the banner of love, forgiveness, and peace.

The Unveiling of the Statue of Christ

On Friday, the largest statue of Jesus Christ was unveiled on the African continent, particularly in southeastern Nigeria. The statue is carved from white marble and shows Jesus Christ barefoot with arms extended and open as if inviting everyone to him. More than 100 priests and thousands of Catholic faithful participated in the event.

The statue is said to weigh about 40 tons at a height of 9 meters. And is believed to be the largest on the African continent. The project was carried out by a Chinese company founded by a Nigerian businessman.

The African continent is considered the world’s first in the growth and prosperity of Christianity. According to news agency reports, it joins hundreds of Muslims every day who leave their religion and convert to Christianity.

Jesus the Greatest Monument, which stands as a symbol of Nigeria’s Catholic community’s everlasting faith, is the biggest representation of Christ on the African continent.

The monument, which stands 28 feet tall and weighs 40 tonnes, has been an essential feature of St. Aloysius Catholic Church parish in Abajah since it was inaugurated in 2016.

According to news agencies, Obinna Onuoha, a local oil billionaire who previously supported the building of St. Aloysius, commissioned the monument. The statue was sculpted and installed in front of the church by a Chinese company, but the cost was not disclosed.

Obinna Onuoha

Told Jamaica Observer that both the statue and the church financing were given in memory of his mother. When she was 68 years old, she became severely ill and made Obinna swear that if she lived, he would construct a church for her.

Similarly, Jesus de Greatest’s revelation coincided with his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. In 1997, Onuoha had a dream that he would build a gigantic monument of Christ.

During the mass ceremony, the statue was installed, which was attended by over 100 priests and hundreds of Catholic faithful.

The African Renaissance Monument is the sixth biggest statue in Africa, trailing Nelson Mandela, Ramesses II, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and Jesus de Greatest. Christ is shown in the piece barefoot, with his arms open wide to welcome those who arrive.

A Very Great Symbol of Faith

Presiding Bishop Augustine Tochukwu Okwuoma remarked in his sermon before presenting the monument that it would be a “very magnificent sign of faith” for Catholic worshipers and passers-by alike.

“It will remind people of the significance of Jesus Christ,” Okwuoma remarked. The statue’s price has not been disclosed. Earlier this week, Onuoha told AFP that it will be “the greatest Jesus monument on the continent.”

The statue’s inauguration was scheduled to coincide with his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, according to the 43-year-old CEO of an oil and gas distribution firm. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has 170 million people and is divided between the affluent Christian south and a destitute Muslim north, which occasionally causes conflict.

More than 17,000 people have been slain in Boko Haram’s six-year struggle for independence, but the carnage has largely been limited to Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north.

Even as Nigeria welcomes 2016, the ever-present fear of Boko Haram terror looms large over the country, despite government assurances that the fight against the Islamist organization has been “technically” won.

“We believe faiths can coexist,” Onuoha stated. “We hope that everyone can coexist peacefully.” He claimed that the idea of a massive monument of Jesus came to him in a dream about 20 years ago. When his 68-year-old mother became very ill a few years ago, she made him vow that if she lived, he would construct a church.

A Marvel of Modern Religious Art

The Largest Jesus Statue is an awe-inspiring religious landmark that has attracted pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. Located in the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, this magnificent statue is the largest of its kind in Africa and one of the largest in the world. Standing at a height of 52 meters, it is an impressive sight that evokes a sense of awe and wonder.

The History of The Largest Jesus Statue in Africa

The idea of building a giant Jesus statue in Africa was first conceived by Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the former president of Cote d’Ivoire. He was a devout Catholic and wanted to build a monument that would symbolize his faith and the importance of Christianity in Africa.

In the early 1980s, he commissioned the construction of the statue and chose the location of the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro as its home.

The construction of the statue began in 1985 and took almost three years to complete. It was designed by the Italian sculptor Giovanni Battista, who was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue is made of marble and weighs around 1,500 tons. It was unveiled to the public in 1990 and has since become a major tourist attraction.

Design and Symbolism

The Largest Jesus Statue in Africa is a magnificent work of art that is full of symbolism and meaning. The statue depicts Jesus with his arms outstretched as if embracing the world. The pose is meant to represent love, peace, and forgiveness, which are central themes in Christianity. The statue’s face is serene and compassionate, conveying a sense of grace and mercy.

The statue is also adorned with various religious symbols. At the base of the statue, there is a large cross that represents the crucifixion of Jesus and his sacrifice for humanity.

There are also twelve pillars around the base, which represent the twelve apostles of Jesus. The statue’s location in the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is also significant, as it symbolizes the close relationship between Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the Catholic Church.

The Impact

The Largest Jesus Statue has had a significant impact on the local community and the world at large. It has become a symbol of faith and hope for many people, who come to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace to pray and seek spiritual guidance. The statue has also brought a great deal of tourism to Yamoussoukro, which has helped to boost the local economy.

The statue has also inspired other religious communities to build similar monuments in their own countries. In Nigeria, for example, there is a giant statue of Jesus known as the “Jesus de Greatest,” which stands at a height of 28 meters. The statue was built in 2018 and has become a popular tourist attraction in the country.

Conclusion

The Largest Jesus Statue in Africa is a remarkable achievement of modern religious art. It is a testament to the faith and devotion of the people of Cote d’Ivoire and a symbol of hope and inspiration for people around the world.

Its grandeur and beauty are a reminder of the power of faith and the enduring legacy of Christianity. Whether you are a believer or not, a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace to see the statue is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.