Our country is full of myths that, naturally in mythology, have a close relationship with religion. This is the case of lord of poisonalso known as the Black Christ, an image that dates back to the 17th century and is made with polychrome corn cane paste.
The Lord of Poison is also one of the most revered religious icons in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City. According to the faithful, it is highly miraculous, which is why a large number of people come daily to visit it at the Altar of Forgiveness that is located at the entrance of the temple.
Until 1935, the Black Christ remained in the Porta Coelli Temple, belonging to the Order of Preachers. However, after the closure of the religious building, it was transported to the Metropolitan Cathedral to prevent its destruction during the Cristero War.
It was in that same temple that the legend of its color emerged, which, according to some interpreters, is associated with the pre-Columbian god Tezcatlipoca, for which it became an image revered by the original peoples of the capital of New Spain.
The Color Legend of the Lord of Poison
According to tradition, a priest came every day to pray before the image of Christ, which was originally white. At the end, he kissed the feet of the crucifix.
One day a man confessed to the clergyman that he had robbed and murdered. As penance, the priest asked him to return what was stolen and surrender to justice. The penitent did not welcome the priest’s words, so he decided to end his life.
At night, the thief entered the Temple of Porta Coelli and anointed the feet of Christ with poison, with the aim that the priest would die after kissing them. As usual, the priest went to pray to the crucifix, however, when trying to kiss it, he observed how Christ flexed his legs to save him from the poison. Also, the light color of the Christ miraculously turned black.
According to legend, the criminal witnessed the miracle, for which he repented, turned himself in to justice and lived a pious life after his release. Over time, the Christ began to be called the Lord of Poison.
There are some variations of the legend with the same essential structure. One of them is the one that Artemio del Valle Arizpe collected in his book Traditions and Legends of the streets of Mexico. The text tells the story of two residents of the Colony: Mr. Fermín Andueza and Mr. Ismael Treviño. According to this version, don Ismael would have tried to assassinate the pious Andueza out of envy.
Celebration of the festival of the Black Christ
Although the original Señor del Veneno currently remains in the Metropolitan Cathedral, there is also a replica attended by the faithful in Porta Coelli. The Temple is no longer under the custody of the Dominican friars, however, it was reopened as a cathedral of the Grecomelkite Catholic Church, which preserves the Byzantine rite and comes from Lebanon.
The festival of the Lord of Poison is celebrated in the two places of worship every third Friday of October. However, it is in the Porta Coelli Temple where it is held as a popular festival, accompanied by pre-Hispanic dances, flower arrangements and the liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom.
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Rodrigo Osegueda Philosopher by training. Contemplate the soul and imagination of Mexico.