You have selected:
The Choir
Community prayer is very important for the Order of Preachers. Following the Liturgy of the Hours, the friars gather twice a day in the choir, in the morning and in the evening, to unite their hearts to God. It is essentially a moment of love: of brotherly love, but above all, a love directed to God. In the Community prayer, they praise and give thanks to their Creator and Saviour for all the good He has given to human beings, and pray for the good of humanity. Presently, the friars of San Esteban pray communally at the chapel of Sotomayor. In the past, when they were a larger community, they prayed at the designated Choir in the Church. This Choir is built on a very bold segmented arch, topped by a heavy stone balustrade. The choir stalls (set of chairs), work of Alfonso Balbás (finished in 1655) are classicistic in style. In the parapets or cresting and in the consoles, which are the most decorated parts, is the work of the woodcarver, Juan de Mondravilla. To him also is owed the enormous lectern in the middle of the choir, a fantastic piece, not only for its size but also for the perfection of the work.
Images
Click to enlarge