In Cristo de Chircales, how is the History discussed?
The history of Valdepeñas de Jaén is deeply linked to the history of the Christ of Chircales. Since the founding in 1539, the contacts with the site of Chircales and the community of hermits who lived there (occupying various caves of the foothills of the valley) was increasing. And from this relationship, various Foundations and Chaplainiah were endowed to sustain Christian worship and devotion in that place. The Sanctuary acquired goods with which to exist. Since the mid-16th century the presence of a group of hermit priests residing in Chircales (Luis de Noguera, Gaspar Lucas and Ginés de Jesús de Naples) and linked to the priestly school of San Juan de Avila incentivized in all areas the material and spiritual construction of the Sanctuary.
For this purpose, the construction of the present Church of the Shrine, and of some outbuildings, was addressed in order to open the hermit to the faithful. To this end, an artistic beautification must also have been sought, which led them to commission the painting of the Christ of Chircales. The Iconography theme had deeply linked to the spirituality of St. John of Avila and his disciples.
The first testimony of the existence of the painting of the Christ of Chircales dates back from 1609, in which his existence appeared in an inventory of goods commanded by Bishop Sancho Dávila Toledo.
In 1751, and with a marked devotional character, the painting was substantially modified, to accommodate two philanthropy in memory of the gold of the Baroque framework, and the elaboration of the painting of an allusive endorsement of the exaltation of the Eucharist. The lower phylactery has inscribed the following text: This endorsement of the Blessed Christ of Chircales was endowed and painted at the request from Mr. Basilio Fajardo, priest and other benefactors of the town of Baldepeñas. Year 1751. And on the top, coming out of the expiring face of Christ: Pater ygnosce illis quia nesciunt quid faciunt (Father, forgive them because they do not know what they do).
Sancho Dávila Toledo Valdepeñas de Jaén