The Christ of Humility and Patience, a carving with 374 years of history, and the Virgen de los Dolores, also from the 17th century, once again toured the streets of the town of La Orotava yesterday. A tradition that every Holy Wednesday leaves from the Church of San Agustín, an old Augustinian convent, and it reiterates a long journey that has been repeated almost unchanged for centuries. It is the only procession from the town that continues to go through practically the same streets since the 18th century.
After the mass and the last-minute preparations in the temple, the humble and patient Christ who awaits the crucifixion and the Sorrowful go out on the steps of this temple, located next to an old barracks. From there they are shown before the faithful and the numerous members of the Brotherhood of Christ of Humility and Patience and Virgin of Dolores, created in 1989 as a result of a female brotherhood promoted in 1956 by Antonia gonzalez de Chávez, widow of Miguel Herreros, the businessman who best promoted devotion to this image.
The Christ and the Virgin of Dolores came out accompanied by the music of the Band of Bugles and Drums of San Juan Bautista and the Orotava Musical Group. In the street, carrying candles, faithful of all ages gathered to participate in the longest procession held in the Villa. The procession departs from the church of San Agustín along Calvario street and goes along García Beltrán streets, next to Franchy Alfaro, Nicandro González y Borges, Tomás Zerolo, Inocencio García, Tomás Pérez and Carrera squares, before returning to the church through the San Agustin street. A long journey that requires around two and a half hours.
The carving of Christ, which will be 375 years old next year, is attributed, according to some researchers, to Alonso de la Raya or Blas García Ravelo, both from the Garachico school, and stands on a carved and gilded wooden processional throne that belonged to a Christ Preacher.
From the Museo de Arte Sacro El Tesoro de la Concepción it is recalled that both Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows were part, “along with a disappeared Saint John the Evangelist, of a cloistered chapel.” They were originally in San Juan, from where they moved to their current location. The proximity of an old barracks made many soldiers profess their faith for decades, “even in the form of saetas sung by soldiers of Andalusian origin.”
«The image of La Dolorosa, an anonymous dress size from the 17th century, is dressed in a black velvet suit and cloak, dotted with stars, with a dagger and embossed silver throne from the 18th century. It is about the Dolorosa of the women of the Villa, since until 1989 it had a brotherhood made up exclusively of women, ”they detail from El Tesoro de la Concepción.
The current secretary of the brotherhood, Lourdes Hernández Lion, explains that the entity has about 270 members, “mostly women, although on the day of the procession and for reasons of age and health, there are more men than women.” Although in 1989 the merger into a mixed brotherhood for both images took place, «in 1956 it was Antonia González de Chávez, widow of Miguel Herreros, who was responsible for starting this brotherhood, initially with the workers of its warehouses and farms . Hence the tradition of branching it in the past with donkey ears, which was one of the few flowers that could be obtained in those times ».
“The virgin’s dress and cloak were donated by Doña Antonia, and are still kept in a chest in what was her house, on Tomás Pérez street,” explains Lourdes Hernández. Last night, due to the delicate state of the original mantle, the image carried another “smooth and black”, but without the usual stars.
The president of this villera brotherhood is Luis Rendón Pagés, to which he has belonged since its re-foundation 34 years ago. He highlights two emotional moments in this historic procession: when both images appear together on the steps, before starting the tour, and when the procession passes in front of the house of the family of Maximino Álvarez, “who were the ones in charge of acting as maintainers when there was no constituted brotherhood». His family ensured that the tradition did not lose its splendor when it did not gather so many people. One of his sons continues to appear as Honorary Elder Brother, just behind the Christ, carrying a staff. Very close to him, other prominent brothers such as the former mayor Isaac Valencia, or most of the current local Corporation.
The Christ of Humility and Patience, from the 17th century, and the Virgin of Dolores went out again yesterday in procession through La Orotava, like every Holy Wednesday since the 18th century without changing its route. And since 1989, together with the members of the brotherhood that venerates them. |
The events continue in the Villa
Holy Week in the town continues this afternoon, at around 6:00 p.m., with the procession of El Mandato, which leaves from La Concepción, with the Penitent Magdalene, Saint John the Evangelist, the Christ of Mercy and Our Lady of Sorrows . At 10:00 p.m., the procession of Christ tied to the Column starts from the church of San Juan Bautista, together with Mary Magdalene, San Juan Bautista and the Virgin of Glory. This Good Friday, from 8:00 a.m., procession of El Encuentro, from Santo Domingo; Calvary (12:00 noon); The Holy Burial (18:30); The Retreat (10:00 p.m.). and the emblematic Procession of Silence, after 11:30 p.m., with La Dolorosa from La Concepción. On Saturday night, the Virgin of Dolores leaves from San Juan, and on Sunday, a procession of the Blessed Sacrament from the Matriz Parish, under a canopy and with a shower of petals. | RS
