The week leading up to Easter, and especially Holy Thursday and Holy Friday, is full of ritual, display and devotion. Throughout the week, costaleros from Thirty Catholic associations, or brotherhoods, bear images of the Passion of Christ and of the Virgin Mary on their shoulders through the narrow streets for hours, taking turns under the heavy load. These massive, wooden pasos are carved, gilded platforms for the images and carry elaborately depicted Biblical scenes. They seem to float through the crowds, rocking gently with the trained step of rows of unseen costaleros, whose difficult maneuvers become acts of Faith. Thousands of candles and masked penitents leading the way and trailing behind, accompanied by music, add to the solemnity and symbolism.
Some penitents walking along the streets of Córdoba.
The Virgin of Peace and Hope.
3 comments:
Once more I feel we are more than southern Europeans or Mediterranean cousins; we're brothers and sisters. Have U noticed we've the same roots in sacred traditions?
Bye Speranza
These are beautiful photos and as I just had a glance of the programme you are planning for us, I can't wait to see Cordoba myself!
Ho empezado aprender espanol porque quiero hablar en tu lengua.Or something like that anyway...
But first of all we hope that everybody will have a good time in Bavaria!
Very interesting material. I wish I could come to Montoro at Easter time some day in the future. Next Friday our Easter holidays are starting and I hope I'll manage to rest a bit. I miss you all and I'm looking forward to meeting you in Germany next month.
Kisses Efi
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