This afternoon at five o’clock, the San Agustín Church will host the V Celebration of theia Crucis Magno, in recognition of the Jubilee Year or Holy Year of Hope proclaimed by Pope Francis. The event will take place inside the church, and those outside will be able to watch via a screen. Once concluded, the brotherhoods will carry out a joint procession transporting all the participating processional figures from the Church of San Agustín to the Parish of Our Lady of Conception.
On this Saturday, the town will transform into a Grand Outdoor Temple and Museum of Sacred Art. The Brotherhoods and Penitential Brotherhoods of La Orotava are uniting to celebrate this Crucis Magno. This religious event seeks to highlight the 2025th anniversary of Jesus Christ’s birth while fostering a significant encounter that strengthens communal bonds, attracting participation from brotherhoods across the island.
Described as an “inimitable event,” this gathering merges faith and devotion with both heritage and artistic significance. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the principal devotional scenes of Holy Week in Villera, presented chronologically through the narrative of Jesus’s Passion, as stated by the event’s organisers.
The displayed images will include the Christ of the Garden, the Christ bound to the column, the Christ of Mercy, the Christ of Calvary, the image of Jesus Nazarene, the dead Lord, the Christ of Humility and Patience, in addition to the Christ of Forgiveness. This outstanding showcase reflects La Orotava’s vast religious artistic heritage, transforming Holy Week into an outdoor museum featuring noteworthy pieces significant to art history in the Canary Islands, as emphasised by the local authorities.
The unique cultural heritage represented by the churches in La Orotava enhances the value of this event, reaffirming the essential dialogue between faith and culture. It serves as a focal point for those seeking answers to their inquiries through sacred art, as elaborated during the presentation of the Via Crucis Magno by the Villero mayor, Francisco Linares; Councillor Narciso Pérez; and parish priest Honorio Campos.
Throughout the planning, organisation, and execution of this remarkable occasion taking place this Saturday, the parishes, movements, brotherhoods, and sisterhoods in La Orotava have been and will remain deeply engaged in facilitating the Crucis Magno route. This demonstrates the unity of the church amidst a fragmented world, addressing many profound issues faced by society.