Infant Jesus of Prague in the context of "Teresa of Ávila"

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⭐ Core Definition: Infant Jesus of Prague

The Infant Jesus of Prague (Czech: Pražské Jezulátko: Spanish: Niño Jesús de Praga) is a 16th-century wax-coated wooden statue of the Child Jesus holding a globus cruciger of Spanish origin, now located in the Discalced Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victories in Malá Strana, Prague, Czech Republic. First appearing in 1556, pious legends claim that the statue once belonged to Teresa of Ávila and was consequently donated to the Carmelite friars by Princess Polyxena of Lobkowicz in 1628.

The divine image is routinely clothed by the Carmelite nuns in luxurious fabrics with imperial regalia and a golden crown while his left hand holds a globus cruciger and the right hand is raised in a gesture of benediction. It is venerated on Christmas and the first Sunday of May commemorating both its centenary and "episcopal coronation" in 1655.

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Infant Jesus of Prague in the context of Christ Child

The Christ Child—also known as Baby Jesus, Infant Jesus, Child Jesus, Divine Child, Divine Infant and the Holy Child—refers to Jesus Christ during his early years. The term refers to a period of Jesus' life, described in the canonical Gospels, encompassing his nativity in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, and his presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem. It also includes his childhood, culminating in the event where his parents find him in the Temple at age 12, after which the Gospels remain silent about his life until the start of his ministry.

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Infant Jesus of Prague in the context of Globus cruciger

The globus cruciger (Latin for 'cross-bearing orb'), also known as stavroforos sphaira (Greek: σταυροφόρος σφαίρα) or "the orb and cross", is an orb surmounted by a cross. It has been a Christian symbol of authority since the Middle Ages, used on coins, in iconography, and with a sceptre as royal regalia.

The cross laid over the globus represents Christ's dominion over the world, literally held in the hand of a worthy earthly ruler. In the iconography of Western art, when Christ himself holds the globe, he is called Salvator Mundi (Latin for 'Saviour of the World'). For instance, the 16th-century Infant Jesus of Prague statue holds a globus cruciger in this manner.

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