Holy Week in Iznatoraf

Description

Holy Week in Iznatoraf is notable for combining both Castilian and Andalusian traditions; watching beautiful carvings pass through narrow streets, centuries-old arches, walls and towers is a pleasure for the senses.

Palm Sunday: The blessing of branches and palm fronds takes place, followed by a procession from the Hermitage of the Veracruz to the Parish Church of the Asunción.

Holy Wednesday: The traditional Way of the Cross takes place; the 14 stations are prayed by torchlight through Iznatoraf's narrow alleyways.

Holy Thursday: In the afternoon, one of the traditions most deeply rooted among the people of Iznatoraf takes place: the Abanderado (flag-bearer), a person dressed entirely in black, with tunic and headscarf, accompanies the Cristo de la Veracruz from the Parish Church to his hermitage; from there, once he arrives, the procession of Jesús de los Azotes and Nuestra Señora de los Dolores sets out, accompanied by Roman soldiers.

Good Friday: The morning of this day begins with the Procession of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, popularly known as El Paso; during this procession of the Brotherhood of the Moraos, the titular image is accompanied by that of San Juan Evangelista, La Verónica and Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. During this procession, the meeting between the Virgin and her Son takes place, an encounter blocked by the Roman soldiers until a child dressed as an Angel recites a well-known prayer, allowing the Virgin through to meet her Son. Throughout the procession, La Pasión is sung, popular hymns of Mozarabic origin narrating episodes of the Lord's Passion. At midday, it is the turn of the Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament, also known as the Blancos, who carry the imposing image of the Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración through the town's narrowest streets.

Good Friday: As evening falls, the Santo Sepulcro processes; Christ, within his bronze urn, parades solemnly through Iznatoraf's main streets. As it passes through the square, the meeting between the Virgin and San Juan with the Dead Christ takes place. It is at midnight that Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, in strict silence, processes through iconic streets such as Calle Cruz or Rincón, beneath the light of the moon.

Glory Saturday: This is the night Christ rises again, and in Iznatoraf this is re-enacted at the parish church: as the priest intones Gloria in Excelsis Deo, the Roman soldiers present in the church, guarding the altar, flee in terror as the Risen Christ appears, accompanied by the angel who brought about the meeting of Christ and the Virgin. It is the following day when the Risen Christ processes, this time accompanied by brotherhood members bearing the emblems of each brotherhood, but without tunics.