The trilogy of secrets and curiosities of Holy Week closes its final chapter with Holy Wednesday. In Seville, this day brings together the chicotás along the Nervión; San Bernardo crossing the bridge; and the members of the Baratillo brotherhood gathering near the Plaza de Toros.
The last of the brotherhood days before the famous Madrugá also hides some of the most interesting details.
The blue eyes of Seville’s Holy Week
La María Santísima de Consolación, from the Hermandad de la Sed, is one of only two virgins with blue eyes in all of Seville’s Holy Week. The other is the Virgen de los Remedios de las Siete Palabras.
On the other hand, the brotherhood’s medal is one of the most unique. A sort of emblem worn by the members as a wooden crucifix. The only one, along with that of La Vera Cruz, that is not made of metal.
First horse in La Lanzada
The Virgin of Buen Fin is the only image in all of Seville’s Holy Week carved entirely using the papelón technique. That is: assembling wood shavings into folds of finely shredded paper. It is also the first mystery featuring a horse to appear in Holy Week so far.
Likewise, the brotherhood’s official title has the longest name, with 65 words and 419 characters. Namely:
“Imperial, Ancient, Illustrious, and Fervent Brotherhood of the Most Holy Sacrament, Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, Holy Thorn of the Crown of Our Jesus Christ, Blessed Souls in Purgatory, Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop, Our Lady of Divine Hope, Nurse, and Royal Archconfraternity of Nazarenes of the Holy Lance of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Lady of Guidance, Saint John the Evangelist, and Most Holy Mary of the Good End.”
The silver of the Seven Words
As noted, the Nazareno float is one of the few floats of the Lord that is made of silver. Normally, they are all made of gold or, to a lesser extent, mahogany wood.
It is said that the robes worn by the penitents of this brotherhood are the oldest in Seville.
The candles of San Bernardo: an icon of Holy Wednesday
This is the canopy with the most curled candles of all those that appear in Seville. Both the front and the sides are covered with them.
Meanwhile, the Virgin of the Refuge was originally located in the Church of Santa Catalina (the brotherhood’s original image dates back to 1936). After acquiring it, the brotherhood took the image to Sebastián Santos Rojas, who destroyed the Virgin’s mask to remake it.
Ruby brooches
The Los Panaderos brotherhood has a most elegant Virgin. On her chest she wears six flower-shaped brooches with six rubies in the center. In her left hand she holds a golden ear of wheat. One hundred and fifty candles adorn her float.
On the other hand, the Señor del Soberano Poder en su Prendimiento is usually carried in procession wearing a white tunic made of camel hair.