With carpets of sawdust, corozo, flowers and fabrics, the faithful of the Catholic Church join during Lent and Holy Week to perform the wedding altars, art pieces that are exposed to the devotees with the image of the Nazarene and the Virgin of Dolores.
The Lenten altars, also called orchards, are part of the veins that begin on the first Friday of Lent and end on resurrection Sunday. Its objective is to turn these spaces into prayer and reflection altars.
In Antigua Guatemala, these spaces are considered a meeting place with God through iconographic representations that show Jesus’ life on earth.
Fray Roberto Díaz explained: They represent a catechesis, that is, a biblical passage of Jesus’ life. Thus, when visiting parishes and churches, the faithful receive a visual message about the life of Christ on earth.
As it is tradition, the Brotherhoods of Guatemala prepare the orchards or speeds within the temples and homes so that the faithful keep alive the memory of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
History of antique altars
According to data from the Association of Antiques, these altars, today known as antique curtains, were inspired by operas and Venetian theatrical works that enhanced the titular image as the Evangelization and Attention Center of the entire decoration.
It is believed that this practice arrived in Guatemala in the first third of the twentieth century, establishing and acquiring since the 40s of that century a particular style in the former Guatemala, a World Heritage City.
Elaboration of the altars
Since ancient times, the altars have been fundamental elements in religious life, first in homes and later in temples. In Guatemala, these spaces have acquired their own style, characterized by curtains and wood or metal structures, which create scenarios dedicated to the veneration of religious images.
Over time, the altars have evolved, incorporating visual effects, lighting and sounds that enrich the experience of the faithful.
Its placement is common during Lent and Holy Week, especially on Fridays and Holy Thursday. On this last date, the Brotherhoods elaborate monuments dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament, where the faithful make adoration until Good Friday.
The religious leader explained that the altars surround the images that represent the life of Jesus. Therefore, devotees decorate them with representative carpets of the time, following the liturgical colors, especially the characteristic purple of Lent. For its ornamentation, carpets of sawdust, salt, sand, fruits, vegetables and candles, elements that provide meaning and creativity are used.
Types of altars
- Curtain altars: Overlapping fabrics on wood or metal structures, with colors alluding to the liturgy.
- Telons altars: Painted canvases representing biblical scenes with an image of veneration in the center.
- Domestic altars: Elaborated in private houses, with elements that invite religious reflection.