As we do each year at this time, we welcome the new year with a post related to Epiphany. For 2021 we visit the church of Santos Reyes Acozac (Yellow Water) in the northern reaches of Mexico State close to the Hidalgo border.
Following a devastating fire in 1700, the church was rebuilt much as we see it today, although it was refurbished as recently as the 1980s. Santos Reyes Acozac presents a neatly painted, geometric facade. The tower in particular features attractive layered pilasters and half columns.
The spacious interior is spanned by dark vaults cut from black volcanic tezontle stone and braced by interior buttresses, and lit up by the gilded main altarpiece that fills the apse.
The oval center niche showcases a tableau of the Adoration of the Three Kings that combines reliefs of the principals in the foreground against a painted backdrop with other figures.
Sumptuously robed, elongated statues include saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary, flanking the tableau, while those on the upper level include St Joseph.
Every year at this time, the images of the Three Kings are carried in procession to neighboring communities.
See our previous page on the church of Guadalupe in Acozac.
text ©2021 Richard D. Perry
color images courtesy of Niccolo Brooker and ELTB.
What an amazing resource. Thanks!
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