The Pains of Santiago

Brotherhood and Confraternity of the Most Holy Christ of Penas, Our Lady and Mother of the Forsaken, Saint John the Evangelist, Most Holy Mary of the Conception, and the Apostle James.

History

A confraternity devoted to the Most Holy Christ of the Penas existed in the 16th century but eventually disappeared over time. The current one was founded in 1956 in the parish of Santiago by members of the Catholic Action Youth and local residents, reviving the age-old devotion to the Christ of the Penas. Its first penitential procession took place in 1957. In 1973, Our Lady Mother of the Forsaken was incorporated as co-patron, followed by Saint John the Evangelist in 1978. In 1979, a great fire devastated the church of Santiago and the brotherhood’s heritage, although the images of the patrons were saved from the flames. This forced the brotherhood to temporarily relocate to the Church of San Pedro, the Ermita del Socorro, and the parish of El Carmen. In 1987, Most Holy Mary of the Conception was added as co-patron. Once the church of Santiago was restored, the brotherhood returned to it in 1991.

Temple

Church of Santiago the Apostle. One of the 14 royal foundations of Ferdinand III upon the reconquest of Córdoba in 1236. Due to the passage of time and a serious fire at the end of the 20th century, the current church has regained part of the medieval appearance originally commissioned by the saintly king and dedicated to Saint James the Apostle. It features one of the most beautiful doorways and bell towers of the era, though they are hidden by the surrounding maze of streets.

The Patrons

Most Holy Christ of the Penas

Without a doubt, this is one of the most important and artistically valuable images of our Holy Week. It is an anonymous 13th-century (Gothic period) carving, considered the oldest image currently used in processions. However, some historians date its creation to the early 15th century, with many alterations made to adapt it to the prevailing tastes of the late 16th century.

In terms of composition, it is a crucified Christ, dead on the Cross. A Christ of great symmetry, subtly broken by a slight turn of the head to the right. The anatomical features are linear and lightly marked, with a clear inclination toward idealized beauty — that is, the artist did not follow naturalism in this work. The face, marked by a crown of thorns made of two branches, has very prominent cheekbones, a long nose, and a thick beard. Certainly, the presence of this image in the streets of Córdoba on Palm Sunday starkly contrasts with the Baroque dominance in current brotherhood aesthetics, due to its strong naturalistic character.

Currently, the Most Holy Christ of the Penas has two crosses. The more recent was made in 1994 for use on Palm Sunday; the older one, crafted by sculptor Ricardo Castillo Gutiérrez in 1954, is used during the rest of the year. Until the 1980s, it bore gilt alpaca rays on its head, and in some years, it processed with a red Damascus shroud covering the original carved one. The image was restored in 1984 by Seville sculptor Francisco Peláez del Espino, who respectfully preserved its aesthetics.

Completing the mystery scene are a sorrowful Virgin, Our Lady Mother of the Forsaken, and a carving representing Saint John the Evangelist, both works by Seville sculptor Antonio Eslava Rubio. The image of the Virgin was acquired by the brotherhood in 1973 and, after suffering damage from a fire, had to be restored in 1979 by Juan Ventura, who was forced to make significant alterations. With a mature, pale face, she watches as the lifeless body of her son hangs nailed to the wood. The image of Saint John the Evangelist was created in 1978 and restored by Juan Ventura in 1980. Like the Virgin, it is a clothed statue. Saint John is depicted young, beardless, and with abundant hair, turning his head to the right as he sorrowfully witnesses the suffering of Our Lord’s mother.

Most Holy Mary of the Conception

This is the most recent image to be included in the brotherhood’s Palm Sunday procession. The work was commissioned by Manuel Jiménez García, who donated it to the brotherhood in 1987, and it was sculpted by Juan Ventura Rodríguez. It is a clothed image carved from cedar wood, except for the hands, which are made of mahogany. Her face expresses deep sorrow, reflected in teary eyes, a furrowed brow, and trembling lips. In short, a highly acclaimed and beautiful image that showcases the current excellence of our religious sculpture.

Nazarene Habit

Blood-red tunic with black face covering, cape, and cincture.

Notable Insignias

• Guide Cross carved in ukola wood by Ricardo Castillo Gutiérrez. Youth banner, a silverwork piece by the Delgado Brothers’ workshops.
• Brotherhood standard made of black velvet, gold embroidery, and silk by Paquita Aguayo based on a design by Fray Ricardo de Córdoba. The staff is made of chiseled alpaca by the Seville silversmith Villarreal (1959).
• Chiseled and silver-plated metal trumpets from the La Milagrosa workshops in Córdoba.
• Rule Book embossed in leather by Cristina Revilla and chiseled by Delgado Brothers.
• Youth Pennant, in silver-plated alpaca, by Delgado Brothers (1991).
• Simpecado, with a painting by Rafael Medina and silverwork by Delgado Brothers (1997).