Gilpin observer., 1908-10-08
TRIP BEFORE ALTAR
SPANISH CUSTOM IS RELIC OF
MIDDLE AGES.
Curious Steps Are Taken In Seville
Cathedral in December-church
Is Large One and Much Re-
sembIes a Museum.

Not one OF the many relics of the
middle ages, with which Spain still
abounds, is more curious than the
dancing before the altar which takes
place every evening during the octaves
OF the Immaculate Conception (De-
cember to 15) and Corpus Domini
the cathedral of Seville.
This church is the largest Gothic
cathedral in the world. 1t is lit by
no fewer than SO windows, and is a
veritable museum of art, but the
crowning glory of this venerable pile
is its fifteenth and sixteenth century
stained glass, the designing of which
is upon doubtful authority ascribed to
Raphael. Titan and Michael Angelo.
1t is within this wonderful edifice that
taxes place the most quaint ritual of
all Christendom.
The dance is performed by two
rows of choristers or seises, number
ing ten or twelve formerly it was
six), wearing plumed hats and dressed
as pages of the time of Philip ILL.,; the
colors of the clothes vary; for the oc-
tave of Corpus Domini they are red
and white. while blue and white are
worn during the Immaculate Concep-
ton. To the slow music of violins
this dance (Which is sort of minuet)
is solemnly performed, devoid of all
irreverence and levity.
AT the December festival the vast
church is in darkness, save for the
lights of the high altar, and the ef
feet is consequently most impressive
The chants which the choristers break
out into merely add to the solemnity
of the occasion, which is not in the
least degree lessened by the sound OF
the castanets the seises play There
are two sets of music. and they are
used upon alternate evenings, the sale
Of which is jealousy guarded against
by the chapter.
A leegnd says this singular ritua
originated at the time of the siege oi
Seville by some boys going out to AL
Gala, where they danced before the
Moorish army. which they SO delight
ed that they were able to detain then
while the Spaniards manned the walls
but really the origin of this dancing
is quite obscure.
Another interesting legend relate.
that certain archbishop of Sevill,
about 200 years ago wished to sup
press this ritual, but the citizens, to
position that there was quite a tn
mult, and the matter was referred t,
Rome. The pope of that time wish
ing to see the dance, the chorister
were taken to the Eternal City, wher,
they performed before the head O
Christendom. who merely laughed. bu
to please the archbishop and at tn
same time to appease the canons h
said the dancing might continue unit
this. the dresses, which are of stripe,
silk, have always been partially re
stored at time. and they now BIZ
fair to last forever.
The other legends are connecte
with the Jews of Toledo who forme
the only community OF medieval Er
rope that was not confined to q Che
to. with all its prosecuting reg,
lations. One Of the reasons give
for this is that at the time G
the crucifixion, or little before
the sanhedrin Of Jerusalem sen
around to all the Jewish colonies ash
ing whether or not the Christ was tn
long-expected Messiah. and the Jew
of this city were the only ones who r,
turned an affirmative answer, 70
which they received their freedom.
Another legend says the cause c
this singular circumstance was tina
when the Christians endeavored I
confine these Jews to n Ghetto the la
ter proved that before the crucifixio
their ancestors were living In Toledo
and SO they were guiltless OF tina
crime.