El Calvario (The Calvary)

Distinguished, Pious and Secular Brotherhood of Penance of Nazarenes of the Holy Path of Our Father Jesus of the Calvary, Our Lady of the Greatest Pain and Saint Lawrence Martyr.

HISTORY.
It has been established in the Church of San Lorenzo since 1722, when it was founded. The prayer of the Holy Stations of the Cross was established as a rule every Friday and feasts, and a procession took place from the church to the calvary located in the area of Marrubial, which became very popular in the 18th century. In the 19th century, this tradition started to languish until it disappeared, and it was taken up again in 1918, including the devotion to the Greatest Pain under the current image of María Santísima Nazarena (Holy Mary Nazarene), until Martínez Cerrillo sculpted Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor (Our Lady of the Greatest Pain) in 1939. In 1945 the brotherhood commissioned Castillo Ariza and Díaz Jiménez the current image of the brotherhood, and their first procession took place at Holy Week 1981.

TEMPLE.
Royal Parish of San Lorenzo Mártir. One of the fourteen temples erected by San Fernandoin our city after the Reconquest in 1236, dedicated from the beginning to Martyr Saint Lawrence. It has been for decades the church with more brotherhoods and that is why it is the centre of the neighbourhood, which is very fond of Holy Week, located between the Gardens of Alpargate and Realejo Street.

THE IMAGES.
Nuestro Padre Jesús del Calvario (Our Father Jesus of Calvary) – [PHOTO #1; #2]
The image of the Lord was made by Trinitarian Brother Juan de la Concepción around 1723. Brother Juan was trained in Granada and he has left a wide religious work.
The characteristics of the sculpture completely coincide with the moment (beginning of the 18th century) when Rococo aesthetics prevailed, with small and decorated shapes that try to be astonishing for those looking at them.
It is an image to be dressed, with articulated arms. He is standing, as if in a moving position, as his left foot is in front of him. His body is slightly leaning forward, and his head is turned right looking at the ground. His round face shows the signs of his martyrdom. His wavy beard is very well carved, as well as his hair. His eyebrows are slightly curved showing a gesture of contained pain.
Nuestro Padre Jesús del Calvario (Our Father Jesus of the Calvary) goes on procession wearing a purple velvet tunic with gold-threaded embroidery, a very elegant design. The Cross is tree-like, with a removable arm in order to exit the temple easily, and the edges are made in gilded nickel silver.
Two baby angels made by Enrique Ruiz Flores hold the Cross on the opposite side of the Lord.

Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor (Our Lady of the Greatest Pain) – [PHOTO #1; #2]
The image of Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor (Our Lady of the Greatest Pain) was made by religious sculptors Antonio Castillo Ariza and Francisco Díaz Jiménez around 1940.
As its name suggests, it is a very expressive Virgin, who is looking at the sky begging for her son’s future. Her face is oval, and she has a pale complexion and half-opened mouth. From her very opened eyes, up to five tears go down her cheeks.
It is an image with a similar composition to that of the Nazarenein the Church of the Hospital of Jesús Nazareno, as this was originally worshipped by the brotherhood. Therefore, it is not absurd to think that Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor(Our Lady of the Greatest Pain) was inspired in the Nazarene.

NAZARENE HABIT.
Purple tunic, cape and face-coverer and purple and golden cincture.

IMPORTANT INSIGNIAS.
Guiding Cross made in nickel silver by Brothers Delgado in 1999, lighted by previous lanterns, by Sons of Juan Fernández; gilded embroidered banner by Carmen Castro Parejo in 1999, with pole by Sons of Juan Fernández.