The Mercy

Pious Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Martyrs of Córdoba and Brotherhood of Nazarenes of the Most Holy Christ of Mercy and Our Lady of Tears in her Abandonment.

History

With the dawn of the new millennium came the union of two existing brotherhoods: on one side, that of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Martyrs of Córdoba (already merged in 1741); and on the other, that of Christ of Mercy and the Virgin of Tears, founded in 1937 by a group of confreres led by Francisco Melguizo. They created a brotherhood that venerates an ancient and miraculous image of the crucified Christ located in the Church of San Pedro, to which, in 1950, the image of the Virgin was added as co-patron. In 2005, together with the Brotherhood of the Good Death, they organized the Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage of the Brotherhoods to the Relics of the Holy Martyrs, thereby allowing the confreres to gain the indulgence granted for the anniversary of the martyrdom.

Temple

Church of San Pedro. Originally a Roman basilica dedicated to Saints Faustus, Januarius, and Martial, and later a Christian Cathedral during the Muslim rule. Rebuilt after the Reconquista during the reign of Saint Ferdinand, its main attraction today is the Chapel of the Holy Martyrs, which houses the relics discovered in 1575, a gem of the Baroque period. In addition to the reliquary, notable items include the silver lamp crafted by Lucas Valdés and gifted by the city in 1602. A famous marble plaque on the exterior reads, “behind this wall lies the greatest treasure of this city”. It was recently named Minor Basilica of San Pedro.

The Patrons

Most Holy Christ of Mercy

The image of the Most Holy Christ of Mercy is an anonymous work from the 16th century, belonging to the later Renaissance period. It is a crucified Christ with three nails, displaying a very stylized profile and a notably narrow waist, as well as great symmetry. His head, slightly tilted to the right, lets his thick hair fall to chest level. His half-open eyes and mouth express the brutality of the scene. His garments are limited to a dynamic loincloth tied on the left side.

The cross is tree-shaped, with golden plaques at the ends and, at the top, the titulum. In 1939, the image was restored by Rafael Díaz Peno, who substantially altered the original carving, replacing the old crown of thorns, significantly reducing the beard, and polychroming the loincloth. In 1983, Rafael Rivera carried out a new restoration, completely respecting the appearance of the carving.

Our Lady of Tears in her Abandonment

The image of Our Lady of Tears in her Abandonment is an anonymous work from the 17th century. In 1950, the brotherhood decided to adopt the sorrowful Virgin found in the Parish of San Pedro, an image that had been the patron of the Brotherhood of Sorrows of the Hospital of San Jacinto. At that time, the image was given a new title, becoming known as Our Lady of Tears in her Abandonment.

Upon being incorporated into the brotherhood, the image underwent a restoration process, during which it was discovered that it was not a polychrome wood carving, but terracotta. It is a candelero-style image, with only the hands and face carved. The face is oval-shaped, with pale skin and a downward gaze, featuring wide eyes from which six tears stream down her cheeks. Her slightly open mouth conveys restrained suffering, mirrored by her furrowed brow.

Nazarene Habit

White tunic, white face cover, and purple sash. The officials wear a white cape with purple lining.

Notable Insignias

• Guiding Cross made of carved and gilded wood, with mirror inlays (1944).
• Christ banner embroidered in gold and silk on purple velvet, with a silver medallion depicting the face of Christ, similar to the Virgin’s banner which is mounted on white.
• Reliquary of the Holy Martyrs, made of silver.
• Heralding trumpets crafted by Francisco Díaz Roncero in 1962, with banners embroidered in gold by the Adoratrices Sisters of Córdoba.
• Sacramental banner with embroidery by Mercedes Castro based on a design by Álvaro Rodríguez del Moral, framing an antique silver medallion (2005).