Los Dolores (The Sorrows)

Royal, Venerable and Distinguished Servite Brotherhood of Our Lady Crowned of Pains and Holy Christ of Clemency.

HISTORY.
It was founded in 1699 as Servite Third Order, and a few years later there was already evidence of its presence in the Holy Week in Córdoba. In 1939, Cristo de la Clemencia (Christ of Clemency) was included in the brotherhood as a main image. It is a contemporary work by Amadeo Ruiz Olmos. After centuries of devotion for the seven sorrows of Mary, on 9th May 1965, Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows) was canonically crowned by cardinal Bueno Monreal, and it was the first image to receive this Marian distinction in our city.

TEMPLE.
Hospital Church of San Jacinto. The convent of Dolores was built around 1707 thanks to the boost given by Father Posadas and the creation of the Servite Congregation. Two façades, which were made in the first third of the 18th century, face the square.

THE IMAGES.
Santísimo Cristo de la Clemencia (Holy Christ of Clemency) – [PHOTO #1; #2]
The image of Santísimo Cristo de la Clemencia (Holy Christ of Clemency) was made by sculptor from Seville Amadeo Ruiz Olmos around 1939. It was bought by the sons of deceased Francisco Belmonte y González Abreu, who had been Main Brother, and it was later donated to the brotherhood.
It is a crucified Christ, pounded to the cross through three nails,dead on the Cross, almost naked, except for the small shroud with exceptional creases and tied on his right, which covers the Lord’s body. He has a prominent physical constitution, and his slightly bowed arms hold Jesus’s lifeless body. It has a great symmetry, except for his legs which are slightly turned left, in contrast with his head, which is falling on his right.
His face, with beautiful and marked features, shows the Lord in his sleep, calm, with an extreme sweetness and majesty. His wavy hair is arranged in locks, as well as his beard, which is framing his half-opened mouth.

Nuestra Señora de los Dolores Coronada (Our Lady Crowned in her Sorrows) – [PHOTO #1; #2]
The image of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows) was made by sculptor Juan Prieto in 1719, who also made a first Virgin a year before, but it was not successful. Therefore, he carved a new face, which is the current one.
It is a fully sculpted image. When its Canonical Crowning took place in 1965, the Bishop considered that it was not litugical to crown an image with only hands and face. Therefore, the body was commissioned to religious sculptor from Córdoba Juan Martínez Cerrillo. It was of no use, as they kept worshipping it as an image to be dressed.
Her pale and beautiful face gives the image a great expression and sweetness. From her long, half-opened, tired eyes, numerous tears fall down the Lady’s soft cheeks. Her curved eyebrows and her frowned brow show an expression of contained pain.
The Lady’s crown has a great artistic value; it was made by Rafael Peidró Dueñas, and it is a masterpiece of the silversmithing from Córdoba in the 20th century. It is made in gilded silver, with inlays of diamonds, sapphire and ruby.

NAZARENE HABIT.
Black tunic and face-coverer. The important posts wear a black velvet cape.

IMPORTANT INSIGNIAS.
 Guiding Cross made in mahogany, ivory, rock crystal, silver and gold, made by Rafael Peidró (1947).
 Main Brother’s baton, made in silver by the same silversmith (1943).
 Virgin banner with medallion from 1879.