In Easter the different images that go out in procession usually capture most of the limelight. These are works of art, many of them with centuries of history, tradition and devotion, who embody this religious celebration in many corners of the islands and the country. However, the most important moment for the Catholic religion is lived on Easter Sundaya transcendental commemoration for the Christian faith that in places like the orotava It brings together numerous faithful in an act in which no image appears on the streets. In the procession of the Blessed Sacrament there are no images of Jesus or the Virgin or other saints, only the sacred form, the consecrated host, which for believers is nothing other than the body of Christ. In the Villa he parades under a canopy, in a 16th century monstrance that is a real treasurepreceded by the sacramental script, the processional crosses and the banners of the different brotherhoods and brotherhoods of lto Mother Parish of Our Lady of the Conception.
«That representation of the body of Christ, Christ in the Eucharist, is the most sacred thing for believers.. At some point, images of the risen Christ were made, such as one that existed in La Orotava, or another that is preserved in Garachico. However, the most common in the Canary Islands is that this shape represents the resurrection. In other places, such as Andalusia, there are more images of the risen Christs,” he details. Natalia Alvarezof the Museum of Sacred Art The Treasure of the Conception. The little Risen Christ the orotava It was preserved at least until the end of the 19th century, when it was moved to the church of San Francisco, where it deteriorated and the parish priest of San Juan Bautista requested in 1879 “to take the image, restore it and worship it in this parish”. His final location is unknown..
The route of this procession is relatively short, although somewhat longer than that of the Corpus Christi procession, which is usually held in June. That of the Blessed Sacrament part of the temple of La Concepción, borders the Plaza de Patricio García, goes up Colegio street and goes down Carrera del Escultor Estévez street towards Tomás Zerolo and Inocencio García, where it returns to the Villera Parish. In its wake, the ringing of bells and the showers of flower petals, from the balconies of some houses, announce the resurrection of Christ. Dozens of people parade next to the Blessed Sacrament dressed in black suits and carrying candles. The procession is closed by the brothers and older brothers, members of the Municipal Corporation, the band of bugles and drums of San Juan Bautista and the Orotava Musical Group.
Experts consider that this must have been one of the first processions of Holy Week in the town, as well as the possible inspiration for the current celebration of the Corpus Christiconverted into a town festival, with its emblematic carpeted route and the great tapestry of sand from Teide in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Adolfo Padroncurator and restorer of cultural assets and coordinator of the aforementioned Museum of Sacred Art explains that “the first chronicles of the events of Easter Sunday in La Laguna already revealed that it was the most authoritative procession, so the orotava She was no stranger to this phenomenon and she was already doing it since the early years of the 16th century in the Parish of La Concepción, and since 1681 in San Juan».
The monstrance, which is about 500 years old, is the main element of the cult, with which the living and risen Christ is symbolized. As highlighted Natalia Alvarezis “the treasure of the temple collection, a unique Manueline Gothic element, executed between 1520 and 1530, which has lasted until today as the backbone of this commemoration ». Is about a unique piece in Spainof incalculable historical and patrimonial value, made with silver, gold, emeralds and topazes, which paraded yesterday, in different hands, to symbolize the resurrection of the son of God.
Along with the monstrance, other elements that solemnize the parade stand out: canopy, script, lanterns, bells or censers. The canopy is a canopy or awning supported by poles to protect the priest who carries the Blessed Sacrament. The script is a flag that mark the path of faith.
In this procession, the music was in charge of the band of cornets and drums of San Juan Bautista and the Orotava Musical Groupwho interpreted topics such as The Christ of Glory either Hail Baratilleraas well as two marches that premiered this year: Sorrowful of Estevezof Borja Romeroand Roses to the Holy Christ of the gardenof Jesus Agomar.
All the brotherhoods and brotherhoods of the Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción participate, as the Brotherhood of La Vera Cruz, the Archconfraternity of Mary Help of Christians or the Brotherhood of the Blessed, who opened the procession with their six banners. Next, three sleeves, the script and the Blessed under canopy.
In an atmosphere of seclusion and respect, the Blessed Sacrament He returned to the temple while the Spanish anthem was playing, and was accompanied by hundreds of faithful throughout his journey through the streets of the town. For Adolfo Padron“this celebration entails the syncretism between the human and the divine, the restoration of life in the spring and the triumph over death.” The expected epilogue of each Holy Week.
tourism promotion
The City Council of La Orotava has once again published this year a promotional brochure in Spanish, English, German and French with information on the main processions of Holy Week in the town. This triptych is distributed in hotels in Puerto de la Cruz and in tourist offices on the island, with the aim of attracting more visitors on these dates.
