GOOD FRIDAY
Pontifical and Royal Archconfraternity of the Most Holy Christ of the Last Breath, Mary Most Holy of the Valley, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Peter González Telmo. |
Historical Background
The archconfraternity is closely identified with the San Telmo neighbourhood and with devotion to the Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración (Most Holy Christ of the Last Breath). In 1950, Juan Luis Vassallo Parodi created the present wooden sculpture, taking the former traditional image as his reference and preserving its distinctive facial features through the adaptation of its original facial mask.
These developments reflect a gradual process of consolidation in which parish life, religious worship and the brotherhood’s public presence have reinforced one another. Its current canonical seat is the Hermitage of San Telmo, at Calle Pavía, 13, 11401 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), which remains the focal point of its religious services and devotional activities.
The archconfraternity makes its annual penitential procession on Good Friday, as part of the Holy Week celebrations in Jerez. Its history also highlights the importance of its principal sacred images and the successive conservation and restoration efforts that have helped preserve its distinctive identity. The history of the archconfraternity can therefore be understood as a combination of religious devotion, institutional continuity and adaptation to the changing circumstances of each period.
Sacred Images and Patron Saints
The Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración (Most Holy Christ of the Last Breath) was created by Juan Luis Vassallo Parodi in 1950 to replace the previous image. The brotherhood’s principal Marian image is María Santísima del Valle (Mary Most Holy of the Valley). Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Peter González Telmo complete its sacred dedications.
The archconfraternity’s full official name is “Pontificia y Real Archicofradía del Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración, María Santísima del Valle, San Juan Evangelista y San Pedro González Telmo”. This title brings together the different devotions that form the basis of the archconfraternity’s religious life and reflects the particular role each plays within its spiritual identity.
The images of Christ and the Virgin Mary traditionally form the focus of contemplation on the Passion and the mysteries of Christ, while the other sacred figures and dedications complement the archconfraternity’s spiritual heritage. The artists responsible for these sculptures, their dates of creation, historical attributions and subsequent restorations help place them within Jerez’s rich tradition of religious processional sculpture and contribute to their distinctive artistic character.
General information
Home Church: Hermitage of San Telmo, at Calle Pavía, 13, 11401 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz)
Pictures / more info (Spanish)
