Suprema de la Iglesia del Ciudad Mistica de Dios, Inc.

The symbols on the altar easily attract the eye for the colors are vivid. The altar's "boundaries" are what appears to be a huge pair of angel's wings placed strategically at both sides. Those that can easily be seen and read from a distance are the words: At the left - Pag-ibig sa Dios, Pananampalataya, Gawa at Pag-asa and Tiyaga (Love of God, Belief, Action and Hope and Industriousness). Above these words are the Roman Numbers for the Ten Commandments. At the right - Kalinisan, Katwiran, Kaliwanagan, Katotohan, Kababaan ng Kalooban and Pagtitiis (Cleanliness, Righteousness, Being enlightened, Truth, Humility and Suffering).
Above these words is a big heart with a cross at the top and on it the words - Aral ni Jesus (Jesus's teaching). There is also a wooden cross and above it a triangle with an eye. There are plastic flowers all around the altar space and candles lighted at the center. During the prayers, a woman would offer incense. The prayers are spoken, chanted and sung.

Source: Karl Gaspar

The Ciudad Mistica de Dios celebrate mass, with many rituals having direct similarities with pre-Vatican II Catholic practice.
The symbolism in the rituals is strongly nationalistic and directed towards ushering in a new political order in which women will occupy a central position by virtue of the spiritual power they possess, where spiritual power is regarded as the ultimate power through which the course of all human life is directed.

Comments

[leah]

so sad that the house or should i call central house of mystica and where i grew up is now turned into ashes,because of the unexpected accident last week,a fire turned the house into ashes,,,hope that they are all fine....hope for their early recovery.

[Jay]

FYI: Maybe some of the reader wondering, why the members wear blue or black on rhe photos. I believe thiis images actually taken during "Holy week" which commemorate every year on the same date. March 15 consider as Good Friday in catholic church. Actually during the period March 10-16, holy week started, so as tradition on that day all the members in mourning (nagluluksa), thats why wearing blue or black dress. During March 17 (easter sunday for catholic church), all members wearing white as celebration of Jesus resurrections.

Normally the members wearing white on their religious ritual as a sign of cleanliness and purity in front of God.

[Jay]

all the member of this group, Iglesia Mistica, became a member in Gods will or by calling. No promotion at all.

[Jay]

To the blogger,

I hope you dont mind, have you asked Suprema Isabel permission that you post all the pictures on your blog? Have you showed to her your blog. If I'm not mistaken, all taking images inside the church is strictly prohibited, also cannot publicized.

[Jay]

no Iglesia Mistica is not Rizalista, its a religious group begun since the world was created. It was started on earth around 1800 by Gods will and time.

[JUNCEL]

I dreamed of 3 light rays coming from the right wing of the altar. I dreamed that Jesus was born in the old church of Iglesia del Ciudad Mistica de Dios in Sta. Lucia Dolores Quezon.

[dave]

I'll provide a more accurate translation, Sidney, hope you won't mind:

pananampalataya = faith
pagtitiis = sacrifice

[Kyels]

Very interesting compositions!

(:

[don]

A fine series of these beautiful places and people.
You do such a good job of getting right in among the people and getting these shots. Nice work.

[Ashish Sidapara]

Happy Easter mate, hope you are having fun!

[Ricardo]

What beautiful, love me these images, and more if as in this case are well made. Da taste look.
Greetings

[haggis basher]

Again a religion based on nationalism and as you said Catholicism pre Vatican 2.

[Toe]

I notice that all the followers are getting on in years. I wonder if this religion would last long.

Happy Easter Sidney! Hope your enjoying your vacation! :)

[jms]

Un pays catholique, si catholique mais aussi tellement différent de chez nous.

Bonne fête de pâques

[pieterbie]

The woman in white kneeling looks really strict.

[chris chisu]

Very beautiful pics... Love the vivid colors and composition.
Some really good documentaries.

[John Maslowski]

Excellent images, very well composed.

[shubert]

are they what are known as rizalistas? i am actually planning to shoot churches aside from those in the catholic side. i am especially interested in homegrown and catholic inspired faiths. i am coming from ileto's book "pasyon at rebolusyon". :-D

[marietom]

joli reportage, bonnes fêtes !
Marie