Infanta Elena Visits the Medinaceli Basilica

Infanta Elena of Spain visited today the Christ of Medinaceli Basilica in Madrid to venerate the image of the Jesus Nazareno.

With this visit Infanta Elena continues with the Royal Family’s tradition of paying homage to the image every first Friday of March, which has been held for three centuries now. Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia have also mage their homage back in 2004, shortly before they were married.

The image of the Jesus Nazareno was created by either Juan de Mesa or his students Luis dela Peña or Francisco de Ocampo in the earlier half of the 17th century. It was taken by the Capucins to the fortress of Mehdía or Mámora (Morocco), for the protection of the Spanish soldiers. In April of 1681, the Moors got hold of the image and dragged it through the streets of Mequinez until it was rescued by the Trinitarios, arriving at Madrid in the summer of 1682.

(Special thanks to RhapsodyBrat)

Filed under Spain
Tagged Infanta Elena Duchess of Lugo, Religion.