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CHRIST the Redeemer is a larger-than-life statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was erected in the 1920s as a symbol of Brazilian Christianity. The arms are outstretched as a symbol of peace, welcoming people from near and far.

The statue is almost 40 metres high on top of the Corcovado mountain, and gives panoramic views of downtown Rio de Janeiro, the Atlantic Ocean and Sugarloaf mountain, Rio ’ s other major tourist attraction, nearby.

The idea of building a religious monument was first suggested by a Catholic priest in 1850, but due to wrangles over separation of church and state, it was not until 1920, 70 years later, that the idea of a landmark statue became a reality, and construction began in 1922. The statue was completed nine years later. Christ the Redeemer,

has been voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the largest art deco statue in the world and fifth largest statue of Jesus. Its inner structure was built out of reinforced concrete instead of steel, which was considered more suitable for the cross- shaped statue. The outer layers are of soapstone, chosen for its enduring qualities.

The span of arms from fingertip to fingertip is 28m. A small chapel is housed in the base of the monument, which can fit about 150 people.

The statue was struck by ACROSS 1, 5, 6 Larger-than-life statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro (6,3,8) 9 Dearly loved (7) 11 Iniquity (3) 13 Rub – into someone ’ s wounds (4) 15 An endorsement in a passport indicating the holder is allowed to visit the country (4) 17 A Hawaiian garland worn round the neck (3) 18 Space around the altar of a church, with seats for clergy (8) 20 Articles of clothing (8) 23 The quality of being pious (5) 24 The capital of Angola, once centre of slave trade to Brazil (6) DOWN 2 A building used as a home (5) 3 Doctor of Theology (3) 4 Welcome or farewell (6) 5 Relating to the belief in the existence of a God or gods (8) 7 The part of a roof that overhangs the walls of a building (4) 8 Make both – meet (4) 9 A male bovine animal (4) 10 To rise and hover in the air, typically by means of supposed magical powers (8) 12 Having no legal or binding force; invalid (4) 14 To wait for; expect (5) 16 Pinnacle (4) 19 All over bar the shouting (5) 21 Fifth month of the year (3) 22 Nothing (3) Yesterday ’ s solution ACROSS: 1 Sydney 4 Opera 7 House 8 Debris 10 Cue 11 Reset 13 Backer 15 Enamel 16 Opera 19 Earthy 22 Abaci 23 Tot up 24 Urge on DOWN: 1 Sahara Desert 2 Drums 3 Elect 4 Ode 5 Ear 6 Australasian 8 Debt 9 Backup 12 Exempt 14 Play 16 On air 17 Evade 20 Rot 21 Hop

Set by Maleho Mosimane