In the development of the local Holy Week Processional line-up, a common pattern emerges. For most parishes and communities, the first images/oldest images are that of the Santo Entierro, Virgen Dolorosa, San Juan Evangelista, San Pedro, Veronica and the famed Tres Marias: Magdalena, Salome, and Cleofas. Next come the tableaus and the solitary images that depict Christ through in the many phases of his Passion: Tercer Caida, Señor de la Paciencia, Cristo de la Columna, Ecce Homo among others. Being an archipelago with more than a few dozen dialects, some images have come to develop local names like The Agony in the Garden is Panalangin sa Hardin [Halamanan] in the vernacular Tagala while it is Pangalaba in the Kinaray-a.
However, above the local nomenclatures, and aside from the Nazareno [which in some communities is confused with the Tres Caidas -to be discussed later], two other images enjoy a popularity in the islands: The Señor de la Pacencia and the Ecce Homo.
The Señor de la Paciencia that the Agustinians brought with them is noted by some historians as an accompanying image to the most revered Black Nazarene of Quiapo, they were enshrined within the same city and were a mere carriage ride from each other. Making it one of the oldest representations of Christ to have made it to the islands. It is an image of the serene nature of Christ in his acceptance of his suffering amidst the mockery of his tormentors. By local interpretation, in the absence of a tableau that may present it, the Pacencia [an accepted local term] also encompasses the Coronation with Thorns by the mere presence of a crown of thorns on his head, a short staff in his hands, and the maroon/purple cape on his back. The image alludes to Christ's kingship and if studied very well in the context of literary symbolism, is one of the most beautiful ironies ever presented mankind.
Paciencia de Malaga
another Paciencia
The mocking of Christ is an event that is mentioned by the synoptic gospels of Matthew [27:28-30] and Mark [15:17-19]; while the Ecce Homo which translates from the Latin as “Behold the Man”, as said by Pontius Pilate is mentioned only in the Gospel of John[19:5]; It represents the dignity of the broken Christ facing his judge and accusers. John, being the most dramatic of all gospels, also mentions the mocking of Christ in John 19:2-3, thus separating these events.
Undeniably, the source of ecclesiastical art in the Philippines is mostly credited to the Spanish iconography brought over during the Counter Reformation. It completely differentiates the Ecce Homo from the Señor de la Paciencia.
To be very specific, the term for Ecce Homo is Presentacion al Pueblo while Pacencia comes from Señor de la Paciencia.
The Roman law dictated, that the condemned person or person to be condemned is to be brought standing before his judge and his accusers; And until today, in the reading of any verdict is still practiced.
ECCE HOMO
A published work not long ago, claims thus, and I quote:
“Ang Paciencia ang Hispanicong katumbas ng ECCE HOMO, na tanyag lamang sa Italya at sa ibang lugar. And kaibahan ng dalawa sa larangan ng escultura ay sa posisyon nito o postura. Ang Paciencia ay laging nakaupo, habang ang ECCE HOMO naman ay karaniwang nakatayo; ang Senyor na hinagupit at pinalo ay iniharap sa tao ni Pilato.”
check the scanned image
here Can you point out the errors after reading the differentiations before the quoted text?
First, if you are a purist, the Gospel accounts point out that these are two separate events. Not the same thing in different poses. Consider the synoptic gospels of Matthew [27:28-30] and Mark [15:17-19] and the mocking of Christ in John [19:2-3] which then translated to the current iconography of the Pacencia. Then obviously, John[19:5], which specifically made the two Latin words famous, is a separate event that is not the same as the Pacencia.
Second, having mentioned Italy in the quote, the Italian ECCE HOMO is no different than the ones from Spain. One of the best examples in Italy is this one from Ciseri which is in Bologna
Which if compared to the images earlier, one can see the similarities.
Third, Although there are duplications in Spanish tableaux (i.e. Crucifixion), The Cofradias of Seville and other Spanish locales, made it clear that Señor de la Paciencia is the scene of the mocking of Christ while Ecce Homo is the prelude to his execution.
Fourth: In the scanned image of the page from which the quote was taken from, the text mentioned the Gospels of Mark, Matthew but the Ecce Homo [Behold the Man] is only mentioned by John.
The same apostle, also inferred the mocking of Christ which by common sense are now two separate events!!! Looking at the Biblical text, one cannot be presented to the people while seated not unless you are brought in by a palanquin; and prisoners never are. Hereby demolishing the premise that Jesus was presented to his enemies and accusers by Pontius Pilate while sitting down.
Therefore, The Pacencia is not the Ecce Homo and vice versa.
until next post, Niki de los Reyes-Torres
