The angel damaged by Hurricane Melissa at the sanctuary of El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, has been completely restored.
“Having completed the restoration works on the severely damaged Angel, a project undertaken by the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana,” the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba reported on Facebook.
"Our gratitude goes to José Duverger Aliaga, a prominent Cuban sculptor, a graduate of the San Alejandro School of Fine Arts and a resident of Havana," adds the information.
In November last year, images from the Office of the Historian of Havana, shared on also by the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba, showed the restoration process of the marble sculpture at the entrance of the temple that was destroyed by the fury of the cyclone.
When Melissa struck the province of Santiago de Cuba with force last October, it left behind a trail of destruction in homes, roads, and also in places of deep spiritual significance.
One of the most significant damages was the fall of this angel, a symbol of protection and faith, which had watched over the Sanctuary from its stone pedestal for decades.
The Sanctuary of El Cobre, located on the hill of the same name about 18 kilometers from Santiago de Cuba, sustained minor structural damage and impacts to several sculptures and stained glass, according to initial reports.
However, its restoration has been a priority for cultural and religious authorities, aware of the significance this place holds in the heart of the country.
The return of the angel to the Sanctuary of Charity of El Cobre is more than a material restoration: it is an image of hope amid the crisis.
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