TREVISO – «I’ll go and check for myself to understand what damage we’re talking about”. The mayor Mario Conte wants to get to the bottom of it and verify the protest relaunched byFriends of Museums associationwhich accuses the Orthodox community to have defaced the church of Sant’Agostino, normally used for religious functions, filling it with icons until the original furnishings are covered. Even the Diocese, owner of the sacred property, will now evaluate how to proceed.
The Association of Friends of Museums and Monuments of Treviso, after having brought the matter to the attention of the vicar general, recently sent a letter to the Superintendent Vincenzo Tinè, explaining that “The Diocese of Treviso through the figure of the Bishop and the vicar general, and with the consent of the parish priest of Santa Maria Maggiore, has given hospitality to the faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Church who live in the area. «The “guests” – writes the association – for the purpose of their liturgies, have altered the appearance of the church with a bulky iconostasis that hides the presbyteral area, as well as icons and furnishings on the altars; furthermore their liturgies involve the lighting of hundreds of candles for long periods; finally, in legitimate brotherhood but with risk of damage to the church, the community prepares tables at the end of the liturgyproceeding to cooking food inside the church”.
The eighteenth-century building, Treviso jewel of rococowhich is characterized by an unusual elliptical plan, is decorated inside with refined stucco, altarpieces and other works and furnishings, now hidden or no longer perceivable in their elegance and harmony, due to the liturgical furnishings of the Orthodox rite that have invaded the hall. «We ask that they come and carry out an inspection to understand the situation», underlines Carla Bidoli, president of the Friends of Muse Association.
The main altar was covered by a large iconostasis which has now become fixed, have been hung iconsturned on a lot candles which with their combustion cover the surfaces and works of soot «and they could also violate safety regulations. If you want to admire the two canvases attributed to Giovanni Antonio Fumiani or the altarpiece by Marinetti with the Madonna and Saint Augustine, you need to go to the back of the iconostasis through a small door.
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TREVISO – «I will go and check for myself to understand what damage we are talking about». Mayor Mario Conte wants to get to the bottom of it and verify the relaunched protest…
