A nazareno (nazarene) is a member of a brotherhood which performs penance rites during Holy Week in Spain (and in some Latin American countries such as Colombia and Guatemala). They parade wearing the clothing that conforms to the rules of the brotherhood. The most common term in use is Nazarenes, but in some regions they are known as capuchones (hoodies), or mozorros (lads) or some variation of implying “worthy of punishment”
Teams of several dozen lightly clad members will be hidden beneath drapery of the heavy platform (typically 1 – 5 tonnes [1] ]) bearing an enthroned and splendid icons that are the centrepiece of most parades (See illustration above).
Injuries affect some 10% of bearers. The most common injuries derived from the effort of carrying a throne at Easter are reportedly "shoulder or ankle tendinitis, muscle tears, frozen shoulder or ligament damage" [2]
The name "Nazarene" derives the town of Galilee, where Jesus spent most of his life, according to the Bible. Although Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judea, and spent a brief period of childhood in Egypt, he soon settled with his father Joseph and his mother Mary in the small town of Nazareth.
It is important in Spanish to differentiate the nazarene (with lowercase letters) from the Nazarene (with an initial capital). The first relates to members of Cofradías and the second is reserved for the contemporary companions of Jesus of Nazareth, especially those that helped him bear his cross during his final humiliation.
Since the 16th century there were processions of brothers who carried insignia similar to the current fraternity banners, scrolls and Christian religious symbols They dress in a Thawb secured at the waist by rope belt or a simple girdle, on their heads a pointed Capirote cap made of a leather cone covered in cotton or linen that extends to obscure the face and neck to ensure anonymity. Similar garb was adapted by the Ku Klux Klan in the early 20th century. [3]
Modern participants tend to become members of Cofradías by family tradition rather than from devout religious conviction, motivated by masculine pride in being chosen, fit and capable of enduring the rigorous ordeal of a prolonged street theater performance. [4]
Recently (from about 2024) women have been admitted to some Cofradíason the basis that Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene were recorded as present at the crucifixion and were presumably loyal devotees of Christ [5] [6]
Blasphemous received "generally favorable", ratings the Metacritic web reviewer covering several gaming platforms. [7]
The Black Nazarene is a life-sized dark statue of Jesus Christ carrying the True Cross. The venerated image is enshrined in the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines.
Albox is a Spanish municipality in the province of Almería in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is situated in the north eastern part of Valle del Almanzora and 120 km from the provincial capital, Almería. In the year 2017 it had 11,481 inhabitants. Its superficial area is 168.42 km2 and it has a population density of 68 inhabitants/km2.
Vélez-Rubio is a municipality in the province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain.
Holy Week in Zamora, Spain, is the annual commemoration of the Passion of Jesus Christ that takes place during the last week of Lent, the week immediately before Easter. Holy Week is the Christian week from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. It can take place in March or April. In Zamora, Holy Week is celebrated by 16 Catholic religious brotherhoods and fraternities that perform penance processions on the streets of the city.
Holy Week in Seville is one of two biggest annual festivals in Seville, Andalusia, Spain, the other being the Feria de Abril, which follows two weeks later. It is celebrated in the week leading up to Easter, and features the procession of pasos, floats of lifelike wooden sculptures of individual scenes of sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, or images of the grieving Virgin Mary.
Gramalote is a Colombian municipality and town located in the department of North Santander. Currently, the complete destruction of the town is considered imminent due to massive mudslides brought about by unprecedented flooding that most of Colombia has undergone.
Holy Week in Spain is the annual tribute of the Passion of Jesus Christ celebrated by Catholic religious brotherhoods and fraternities that perform penance processions on the streets of almost every Spanish city and town during the Holy Week –the last week of Lent, immediately before Easter–.
The Santa Veracruz Monastery in the historic center of Mexico City is one of the oldest religious establishments in Mexico City and was the third most important church in the area in the 16th century. It was established by a religious brotherhood founded by Hernán Cortés.
The Holy Week in Popayán, Cauca (Colombia), is the celebration of the Passion and death of Jesus Christ through daily processions continuously performed since the sixteenth century between Friday of Sorrows nights and Holy Saturday. The processions take place in the ancient streets of the "White City". Religious images of Spanish, Andalusian, Quito, Italian and Payanes arranged on a wooden platform with four front and four back "barrotes" (bars) are carried in the shoulders of the "Cargueros". These images are representations of different episodes recounted in the Gospels on the Passion, Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Christ. Each performance is a "paso" (step). The steps are taken through the streets, a distance of a cross-shaped layout since the time of the Conquest, passing by the main churches and temples of the city.
Holy Week in Mexico is an important religious observance as well as important vacation period. It is preceded by several observances such as Lent and Carnival, as well as an observance of a day dedicated to the Virgin of the Sorrows, as well as a Mass marking the abandonment of Jesus by the disciples. Holy Week proper begins on Palm Sunday, with the palms used on this day often woven into intricate designs. In many places processions, Masses and other observances can happen all week, but are most common on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, with just about every community marking the crucifixion of Jesus in some way on Good Friday. Holy Saturday is marked by the Burning of Judas, especially in the center and south of the country, with Easter Sunday usually marked by a Mass as well as the ringing of church bells. Mexico's Holy Week traditions are mostly based on those from Spain, brought over with the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, but observances have developed variations in different parts of the country due to the evangelization process in the colonial period and indigenous influences. Several locations have notable observances related to Holy Week including Iztapalapa in Mexico City, Taxco, San Miguel de Allende and San Luis Potosí.
The Penitential Brotherhood of the Holy Eucharist, founded on May 6, 1959, is one of nine religious brotherhoods of the city of Bilbao that take part in its Holy Week. Bilbao is the most important place for the Holy Week in Spain in the northern part of the country, but not as well known as the Holy Week in Seville. It is canonically headquartered at the Jesuit School, so it is popularly known as the Jesuit Brotherhood. It consists of current and former students, as well as family and friends, but also of people outside the school.
Holy Week in Salamanca is the most important religious event of Salamanca, Spain. It is celebrated in the week leading up to Easter.
The Illustrious Brotherhood of the Holy Cross of the Redeemer and the Immaculate Conception, his Mother, known as the Vera Cruz or True Cross is a Catholic fraternity established in Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain in 1506.
The Illustrious Penitential Brotherhood of Our Lady of Anguish is a Catholic fraternity established in Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain in 1536.
The Penitente Hermandad de Jesús Yacente is a brotherhood in Zamora, Spain, important in its Holy Week; they parade solemnly on the night of Holy Thursday.
The Holy Week in Valladolid is one of the main tourist attractions, and cultural and religious events of Valladolid and the surrounding province during Holy Week in Spain. It boasts of renowned polychrome sculptures, created mainly by sculptors such as Juan de Juni and Gregorio Fernández, who were active when the city served as the imperial court. The city's National Sculpture Museum has a total of 42 images for the processions. The Holy Week in Valladolid is known to depict the Passion with great fidelity, rigor and detail.
The Procession of Silence in San Luis Potosi is an annual event to mourn the Passion of Christ and honor Our Lady of Solitude. It occurs on the night of Good Friday, beginning at the El Carmen Church, where it originated, and winds through the streets of the historic center of the city of San Luis Potosí. During the event there are the sounds of drums and bugles, but no participant or spectator speaks, giving the event its name. It is one of the most important Holy Week observances in Mexico and was declared part of the cultural heritage of the state of San Luis Potosí in 2013.
In Taxco, the processions and ceremonies of Holy Week are elaborate and have gained international fame. Between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, there are ten major processions, six during the evening and four during the day. Most processions are about two and a half kilometers long and take about two hours to complete. These commemorations date back to at least 1622 when they were begun in the atrium of the Church of the Ex monastery of San Bernardino de Siena. Now these processions and ceremonies center of the Santa Prisca Church.
Holy Week in Málaga, is the annual commemoration of the Passion of Jesus in Málaga, Spain. It takes place during the last week of Lent, the week immediately before Easter. It is one of the city's main cultural and religious events.
Holy Week in San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a traditional event that has been repeated for centuries in the historic center of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a city located on the island of Tenerife, Spain. It is considered the most remarkable Holy Week in the Canary Islands.
