RELIGIOUS FESTIVITIES

RELIGIOUS FESTIVITIES IN SEVILLA

• THE HOLY WEEK (SEMANA SANTA)

• THE CORPUS CHRISTI. (THE CHRIST BODY)

1.- Holy Week in SpainEaster is the central feast in the Crhistian liturgical year.According to the holy bible, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion.

His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday (also Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday).

¿When do we celebrate the Easter?

Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar

The First Council of Nicea (325 AD) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the first spring full moon (the “Paschal Full Moon” )

The date of Easter therefore varies between March 22 and April 25. (Gregorian Calendar) (Eastern Christianity bases its calculations on the Julian Calendar and dates changes).

Easter marks the end of LENT …a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.

Easter is followed by a fifty-day period called Eastertide or the Easter Season, ending with Pentecost Sunday.

The last week of the Lent is called Holy Week, and it contains Good Friday, commemorating the “crucifixion and death of Jesus”

The holy Week finishes in The resurrection Sunday and starts one week earlier in The Palm Sunday. (The day in wich Jesus came into Jerusalem city)

Spain is especially renowned for its Holy Week (Semana Santa) traditions and celebrations and specially some cities as… Seville.

Holy Week in SevilleHoly Week in Seville (Spanish: Semana Santa de Sevilla) is one of the most important traditional events of the city and is one of the better known religious events within Spain.

This week features the procession of pasos, floats of lifelike wooden sculptures of individual scenes of the events of “the passion”, or images of the Virgin Mary showing restrained grief for the torture and killing of her Son. Some of the sculptures are of great antiquity and are considered artistic masterpieces, as well as being culturally and spiritually important to the local Catholic population.

• During Holy Week, the city is crowded with residents and visitors, drawn by the spectacle and atmosphere. The impact is particularly strong for the Catholic community.

The processions are organized by hermandades and cofradías (religious brotherhoods).

During the processions, members precede the pasos (of which there are up to three in each procession) dressed in penitential robes.

The processions work along a designated route from their home churches and chapels to the Cathedral, usually via a central viewing area and back. The processions from the suburban barrios may take 14 hours to return to their home churches.

In 2012, a total of 60 processions are scheduled for the week, from Palm Sunday through to Resurrection Sunday morning. The climax of the week is the night of Holy Thursday, when the most popular processions set out to arrive at the Cathedral on the dawn of Good Friday, known as the madrugá.

The Brotherhoods

At the heart of Semana Santa are the brotherhoods (Hermandades y Cofradias de Penitencia), associations of Catholic laypersons organised for the purpose of performing publics acts of religious observance; in this case, related to the Passion and death of Jesus Christ.The brotherhoods, besides the day-to-day work in preparation for the processions, also undertake many other self-regulated religious activities, and charitable and community work.

Many brotherhoods maintain their own chapel, while others are attached to a regular parish.

Membership is open to any baptiised person, although internal rules may limit who can participate in a procession (e.g. women are still not allowed to process in some brotherhoods).

There is a Supreme Council of Brotherhoods (Consejo Superior de Hermandades y Cofradías), whose members are chosen every four years by the elders (Hermanos Mayores) of the different brotherhoods. This council is in charge of organisation and agreements with local authorities on the official itinerary. It acts also as the link with the canonical authority (the Archbishop) and between brotherhoods.

The earliest known brotherhood (El Silencio - The Silence); was founded in the mid 14th century. Since then, many have formed, merged or disappeared.

By 2012, 60 brotherhoods will make the stations of penance to the Cathedral during Holy Week.

The Processions

1.- The Marching Order

The core events in Semana Santa are the processions of the brotherhoods, known as estación de penitencia (stations of penance), from their home church or chapel to the Cathedral of Seville and back.

The last section before arriving to the Cathedral is common to all brotherhoods and is called the Carrera Oficial. ( composed of 3 streets)

The standard structure of a procession is:

1.- A great cross (the so-called Cruz de Guía - Guiding Cross) is carried at the beginning of each procession. It opens the way.

2.- A number of people (sometimes barefoot) dressed in a habit and with the distinctive pointed hood (capirote), and holding long wax candles (only lit by night), marching in silence. These are the nazarenos. Colours, forms and details of the habit are distinctive for each brotherhood.

3.- A group of altar boys, acolytes, dressed in vestments with chandeliers and incense, and other servants

4.- The Paso.

5.- When applicable, the musical group follows (bands) or precedes the paso(chapel music)

6.- A number of penitentes, carrying wooden crosses, making public penance. They wear the habit and the hood of the brotherhood, but the hood is not pointed.

A procession can be made up from a few hundred to near 3,000 Nazarenos and last anywhere from 4 to 14 hours, depending how far the home church is from the Cathedral. The largest processions can take over an hour and a half to cross one particular spot.

2.- The Paso

At the centre of each procession are the pasos, an image or set of images set atop a movable float of wood.

If a brotherhood has three pasos:

● the first one would be a sculpted scene of the Jesuschrist Passion, or an allegorical scene, known as a misterio (mystery);

● the second an image of Christ;

● the third an image of the Virgin Mary.

The structure of the paso is richly carved and decorated with fabric, flowers and candles.

Many of the structures carrying the image of Christ are gilded, and those carrying the image of the virgin often silver-plated. This pasos are covered by an ornate canopy or baldachin (palio) attached to the structure.

The sculptures themselves are carved and painted and they are a rich sculptural treasures. Quite exptensives and venerated. The oldest surviving were carved in the 14th century.

All of the principal images of the Semana Santa are on display for veneration in their home churches all year round.

A distinctive feature of Semana Santa in Seville is the style of marching of the pasos. A team of men, the costaleros (literally "sack men", for their distinctive - and functional - headdress), supporting the beams upon their shoulders and necks, lift, move and lower the paso. As they are all inside the structure and hidden from the external view by a curtain, the paso seems to move by itself.On the outside an overseer (capataz), guides the team by voice, and/or through a ceremonial hammer el llamador (caller) attached to the paso.

Depending on weight (most weigh over a metric tonne), a paso requires between twenty-four and fifty-four costaleros to move.

Up to 1973, dock workers were hired as costaleros. From that year onwards, that task has been progressively (and almost universally) taken over by the members of the brotherhoods which organise each procession.

3.- The Music

Some processions are silent, with no musical accompaniment, some have a cappella choirs or wind quartets, but many feature a drum and trumpet band behind the image of Christ and a brass band behind the Virgin playing religious hymns or marchas from a standard repertoire

As each procession leaves its home church, at its return, and along the march route, improvised flamenco-style songs may be offered by individuals in the crowd or from a balcony. These songs are generically called saetas (arrows).

4.- Traditional Dress

The traditional suit worn by women on Monday and Thursday (and sometimes on Good Friday) is known as La Mantilla (the mantle).

The traditional accompanying male dress is a dark suit, black necktie and shoes.

The Days of Holy Week

Below is a list of the brotherhoods which make penance each day.They are ordered in the same sequence as they enter the Cathedral.

Palm Sunday

- La Borriquita (The Donkey). The Nazarenos corp is exclusively formed by children (except guardians and costaleros). - Jesús Despojado (Stripped Jesus). 1936. - La Paz (Peace). 1939. The paso represents the moment when they are giving Jesus the cross. It is also the first one to go out. - La Cena (The Last Supper). 1591. - La Hiniesta (The Broom). 1879. - San Roque. 1901. - La Estrella (The Star). 1560. Also known as the Valiente (Brave), since it was the only brotherhood which processed in 1932. - La Amargura (The Bitterness). Late 17th century. The Virgin of the - - El Amor (The Love). 1508

Monday of Holy Week

- Cautivo del Polígono (Captive, Polígono). 2008 - El Beso de Judas (Judas' Kiss). 1959. - Santa Genoveva. 1958. This brotherhood's image of the captive Christ is usually escorted by a sizable number of street-dressed women undertaking private penance. - Santa Marta. 1946. As of 2007, the only brotherhood whose costaleros are still "de jure" paid for the task. - San Gonzalo. 1942 - Vera-Cruz (True Cross). Founded originally in 1448 and revived in the early 20th century. - Las Penas de San Vicente (The Sorrows, San Vicente). 1875. - Las Aguas (The Waters). 1750. - El Museo. (The Museum) 1575.

Tuesday of Holy Week

- El Cerro (literally "The Hill", from the housing neighbourhood). 1989. As of 2007, it is the brotherhood travelling furthest to make station; the procession lasts some 14 hours. - Los Javieres. 1946. - San Esteban. 1926. - Los Estudiantes (The Students). 1924. The image of Cristo de la Buena Muerte (1620) is considered the masterwork of Juan de Mesa. - San Benito. Founded by shipbuilders in Triana in the 16th century. - La Candelaria. 1922. - El Dulce Nombre (The Sweet Name). 1584. It is known popularly as the Bofetá (slap in the face) because its current paso represents the moment when, after Jesus has been detained, he is slapped in the face by a servant. - Santa Cruz (Holy Cross). 1904.

Wednesday of Holy Week

- Carmen Doloroso (Our Sorrowful Lady of the Mount Carmel). 2007. - La Sed (The Thirst). 1979. - San Bernardo. 1748. - El Buen Fin (The Good End). 1590. - La Lanzada (The Spearthrow). 1591. - El Baratillo. 1693. - Cristo de Burgos (Christ of Burgos). - Las Siete Palabras (The Seven Words). 1561. - Los Panaderos (The Bakers). 18th century.

Maundy Thursday

- Los Negritos (The Blacks). Prior to 1400. Up to the mid 19th century, only black people (both free and slave) could be full members. - La Exaltación (The Exaltation). 16th century. Nicknamed los caballos (the horses). - Las Cigarreras (The Cigarmaking Girls). 1563. - Monte-Sión (Mount Zion). 1560. - Quinta Angustia (Fifth Anguish). 1541. - El Valle (The Valley). 1590. - Pasión (Passion). 1531. The image of Jesus is a masterpiece of Juan Martinez Montañes.

Good Friday (Early Hours) La Madrugá

Starting a little while after midnight into Good Friday, and lasting sometimes until midday, the Madruga (dawn) is the high point of the processions in Seville.

- El Silencio (Silence). 1340. Considered the oldest existing brotherhood. The whole procession is followed by the watching crowd in silence. Jesus carries the Cross backwards. - Jesús del Gran Poder (Jesus of the Great Power). 1431. The image of the Lord is one of the most venerated in Seville and elsewhere. It's carrying the Cross. - La Macarena (Our Lady of Hope Macarena). 1595. The most popular image of the Virgin in Seville. Her presence arouses passion in the watching crowds. It remains in the streets fourteen hours. - El Calvario (Calvary). 1571. The smallest and shortest procession of the night. - La Esperanza de Triana (Our Lady of Hope, Triana). 1418. The Virgin of Triana has a passionate following in Triana and elsewhere. - Los Gitanos (The Gypsies). 1753. Even now, the hermano mayor (principal of the brotherhood) is expected be a gypsy.

Good Friday

- La Carretería (The Cartwright's Shop). 1550. - Soledad de San Buenaventura (The Loneliness, San Buenaventura). 1847. - El Cachorro (Literally The Puppy, nickname of the Christ sculpture). 1689. The image of the crucified expiring Christ, made in 1682 by Ruiz Gijon, is a masterpiece - La O 1566. Was the first brotherhood of Triana to process across the river to Seville, on 9 April 1830. - Tres caídas de San Isidoro (Three Falls, San Isidoro). 1605. - Montserrat 1601. - Sagrada Mortaja (Sacred Shroud). 1692.

Holy Saturday

- El Sol (The Sun) 2010. - Los Servitas (The Servants of Mary) 1696. - La Trinidad (The Trinity) 1507. - Santo Entierro (Holy Burial) c. 1570. With representatives of public authorities, civic bodies and legations from most other brotherhoods. - La Soledad de San Lorenzo (The Loneliness, San Lorenzo). 16th century.

Resurrection Sunday

- El Resucitado (The Resurrected). 1969.

1.- The Corpus Christi (The body of Christ)

The Corpus Christi celebrations it does not commemorate a particular event in Jesus' life.

Instead it celebrates the Body and Blood of Christ really present in the Eucharist.

It is celebrated on Thursday the sixtieth day after Easter.

The Corpus in Seville presents today an image of major devotion, at a time that preserves its warmth of the people.

The morning of Corpus has tradition of colorful store windows, houses and decorated streets.

The "Custodia" and the "Sacramento" are lifted early in the morning.

It is a work of grandeur by Juan de Arfe done somewhere between 1580 and 1587

It is the silver-plated style with four decreasing bodies with a circular plan.

In the Cathedral, early in the morning, a mass is celebrated where the "Seise" dance dressed in red and gold before the "Custodia", before the Archbishop, and before the city.

The "Seises" are little boys, generally ten, that sing and dance in the Cathedral in certain festivals

Their costumes are gold and blue or gold and red depending on the Festival.

When dance and mass are finished a cortege goes out to the streets to meet with the crowds.

The cortege cover only some streets in Seville city center and it represents all the mainSocial institutions in the city: politicals, clerks, the army, the police, religious brotherhoods,The old aristocracy, etc.

The structure of the cortege and the religious images which are accompanied by this social forces is, more and less, as follows:

1.- The “paso” of Sta Justa and Rufina. S XVIII. They were two sisters born in Seville and killed for his crhistian faith by romans in III A.C. They are very venerated.

2.- The “paso” of St. Isidoro.He was archibishop of Seville for 30 years in VII century.

3.- The “paso” of St. Leandro.He was a quite venerated clerk and archibishop of Seville en VII century.

4.- The “paso” of St. Fernado.He was a king in XIII century. He reconquered the city to muslims in 1248.He placed the court in Seville.After him in the cortege they come representations of the three armies (land, air and navy) and other institutions of Seville.

5.- The “paso” of Sta. María Inmaculada.

6.- The “paso” Jesus (when he was child.)

7.- The “paso” of Santa Espina (also known as “custodia chica”)Acompained by the diocesan curia, the eclesiastical court, the cathedal chapter, Clerks, …

8.- Finishing the cortege: the “paso” of the “Custodia”.The most important “paso” in the cortege where the body of Christ is placed.

THANK YOU

Ceip Poeta Rafael Alberti (Spain)