The church has a peculiarity which is not often found, at any rate in so
pronounced a manner. The chancel is not in a line with the nave, but
inclines to the left, or north. Thus, in standing at the west end, only
a portion of the apse can be seen. The effect is singular, and, at the
first moment, seems to offend. But after a time the peculiarity becomes
decidedly effective. The stiffness of the straight line, of the sides
running exactly parallel one with the other, is lost. One grows almost
to like the break in the uniformity of design. It appeals to the
imagination. Certain other cathedrals incline in the same way, but in a
more modified form. The architects' reasons for thus inclining the choir
are lost in obscurity. By some it has been supposed that their motive
was purely effect; by others that it was in imitation or commemoration
of our Lord, Who, when hanging upon the cross, inclined His Head to the
left.
Many of the windows are old, and add greatly to the fine effect of the
interior. Those in the nave date from the end of the fifteenth century.
Some of those in the choir--unfortunately the most conspicuous--are
modern; but a few are ancient. The whole interior has suffered in tone
by restoration and scraping.
The high-altar is richly decorated with enamels and precious stones. The
tabernacle--in the centre of which is a figure of the Saviour in the act
of blessing--is flanked by twelve arcades, containing the figures of the
Apostles in relief, holding the instrument of their martyrdom. It is
crowned by a cross with double rows, or branches, at the foot of which
are the evangelists with their symbolical animals. The lower arms of the
cross bear the figures of the Virgin and St. John weeping at the feet of
the crucified Redeemer.
Amongst the treasures of the cathedral are preserved three drops of
blood, of which the following is the legend:--
A pilgrim of Quimper, on starting for the Holy Land, had confided a sum
of money to a friend. On returning, he claimed the money, but the friend
denied having received it, offering to take an oath to that effect
before the crucifix in the church of St. Corentin. At the moment of
raising his hand to take the oath, he gave a stick that he carried to
his friend to hold. The stick was hollow and contained the gold. As soon
as he had taken the oath, the stick miraculously broke in two, and the
money rolled on to the pavement. At the same moment the feet of the
crucifix, held together by a single nail, separated, and three drops of
blood fell on to the altar. These drops were carefully absorbed by some
linen, which is preserved amongst the treasures of the church. The
miracle is reproduced in a painted window of one of the chapels.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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