Ecce agnus dei : a presença dos medalhões de cera nas portas dos sacrários

Abstract

The small consecrated medallions of wax, commonly known as Agnus Dei, have various forms and sizes and the image of the Mystical Lamb printed on one of the sides. ese medallions bring to light a continuous practice of devotionthat dates from the beginnings of Christianity until the present day, thus making in that sense, a point of reference in WesternCulture. e main objectives of this article are to providea reexion of the origin of theseobjects, to analyse thematerials, the iconography, sacred rituals anddistribution. It also aims to present the virtues andbenets associated with them and in addition, to explain the symbolism oftheir presence on the doors of the tabernacles from two originalcase studies, namely: the one at the Church ofSão Paulo / NewChapel of Vila Real and the one at the parish church ofSabrosa.