The Cristo de La Laguna (''Christ of La Laguna'' in
English) is a
Catholic figure of great
historical
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
,
artistic and
cultural
Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and Social norm, norms found in human Society, societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, Social norm, customs, capabilities, and habits of the ...
image that represents the crucified
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
. Situated in the
Real Santuario del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna (''Royal Sanctuary of the Christ''), in city of
San Cristóbal de La Laguna (
Tenerife,
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Morocc ...
,
Spain).
It is the image that represents Jesus most revered and important of the Canary Islands, the image procession at
Easter and September 14 to the
Cathedral of La Laguna where he remained until a few days after returning to her shrine, which is visited daily. This work is one of the best ones that are part of the historical heritage of the Canary Islands. It is one of the Spanish religious sculptures of the highest artistic value. He is also considered one of the best European crucified in terms of artistic quality.
History
There are many theories on the origin of the figure of Christ. It was Professor Joaquin Yarza who assumed that its origins were northern
European, although he did not deny its
Sevillian origins. The latest studies conducted by Professor Francisco Galante Gomez confirm that the figure came from the flourishing workshops of
Antwerp
Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: Anvers ; es, Amberes) is the largest city in Belgium by area at and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. With a population of 520,504, , thus making it of
Flemish-
Brabanzon origin, and it was sculpted by
Louis Van Der Vule Louis may refer to:
* Louis (coin)
* Louis (given name), origin and several individuals with this name
* Louis (surname)
* Louis (singer), Serbian singer
* HMS ''Louis'', two ships of the Royal Navy
See also
Derived or associated terms
* Lewis (d ...
around 1514.
It is claimed that the Santisimo Cristo went to
Venice
Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 ...
before coming to Tenerife, as the city was a major trading and economic centre at the time. From there, it was taken to
Barcelona and from Barcelona to
Cádiz, where it was given temporary accommodation in the church of La Vera Cruz in
Sanlúcar de Barrameda. After finally come to
Tenerife in 1520.
Over the centuries, the solemn worship of this image of Christ has made it one of the most venerated religious images in the entire archipelago. This image has been taken in rogatives through the streets of the city in multitude of occasions throughout the history, generally to ask for its intercession in diverse public calamities like epidemics, plagues or droughts that were produced in the island of Tenerife.
Before the image of the Christ of La Laguna received the episcopal consecration Monsignor
Domingo Pérez Cáceres, September 21, 1947, that became the first bishop born in Tenerife that governed his own native diocese. The image of the Christ had been exceptionally transferred to the Cathedral of La Laguna for such occasion a few days before.
The church of the christ is currently classified as a Royal Sanctuary, and is highly popular with church goers. It was returned to the
Franciscan community of the annex to the Convent of
San Miguel de las Victorias. The church of the christ in the course of history was enriched by the
Popes pardons that are granted to the
Basilica of St. John Lateran in
Rome. The "Real Santuario del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna" was listed as a Cultural Monument in 2005 by the Canary Islands Government.
Legends about its origin
There are alternatives legends that attempt to explain the origin of this enigmatic sculpture. Some of these legends say that the image of Christ of La Laguna was sculpted by
angels and even by the
Evangelist Saint Luke. ''Fray Luís de Quirós'' said the image of Christ of La Laguna was taken to the island of Tenerife by
Saint Michael Archangel
Michael (; he, מִיכָאֵל, lit=Who is like El od, translit=Mīḵāʾēl; el, Μιχαήλ, translit=Mikhaḗl; la, Michahel; ar, ميخائيل ، مِيكَالَ ، ميكائيل, translit=Mīkāʾīl, Mīkāl, Mīkhāʾīl), also ...
. In both cases these "holy sculptors" sculpted image with facial features that had Jesus Christ at the time of his crucifixion.
Another legend tells that a stormy night the religious from the Convent of San Miguel de las Victorias (today Sanctuary of Christ) felt knocking the door, and when they opened it found a large box, the bright lights inside out. After opening the box found in the image of Christ, this fact was taken as a miracle.
Brotherhood of Cristo de La Laguna
From the image of Christ is responsible for a fraternity or sorority is the largest of the Canary Islands,
Fiestas del Cristo de La Laguna 2006
call: ''Pontificia, Real y Venerable Esclavitud del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna''. The Spanish King Alfonso XIII to this brotherhood Awarded the title of "Royal" on 19 December 1906, and Pope Pius X gave him the title of "Pontifical" on 15 February 1908.
Gallery
File:La Laguna BW 1.JPG, Exterior of the Shrine of Christ.
File:Colección Cristo de La Laguna by elduendesuarez 26.JPG, The image of Christ on the altar.
File:CristodeLaLaguna.JPG, Sculpture of Christ after restoration.
See also
* List of statues of Jesus
* San Cristóbal de La Laguna
* Real Santuario del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna
* Virgin of Candelaria
References
External links
Real, Pontificia y Venerable Esclavitud del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna: Official Site of the Brotherhood of Cristo de La Laguna
Sanctuary del Cristo (La Laguna)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cristo De La Laguna
Statues of Jesus
Catholic Church in the Canary Islands
San Cristóbal de La Laguna