Unique Passion nativity scene on display in Jihlava
A unique Passion nativity scene, with some parts dating back to the 19th century is now on display in the Church of St James in Jihlava. Who made it and how did it get there?
Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Christ are an indelible part of the Czech Christmas experience and almost every family has one –be it wood carved, made of clay, tin or cut out of paper. But nowadays Passion nativity scenes are very rare in this country.
This was not always the case –in the olden days families had nativity scenes depicting both the birth of Christ and his crucifixion and resurrection, which were displayed in the home on the respective holidays. Few families have preserved an Easter nativity scene within the family heritage, but now there is a unique Passion nativity scene that people can admire in the Church of St. James in Jihlava.
It was created by Marek Skřivánek and Vojtěch Blažek from several collections that were preserved in churches and as family heritage over the centuries. Marek Skřivánek explains:
"The tradition of creating Passion nativity scenes goes back to the Early Middle Ages. The Passion nativity represents the story of the entire Easter week. It begins with the scene of the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem and ends with his resurrection. Most of the Passion scenes that have been preserved in neighbouring Austria were made of paper and painted, while this nativity scene is a collection of different figures - some made from wood, others from wax or cloth. What is really special about this Passion scene is its age.”
The nativity scene is 5 x 3 metres big and has about 60 figures. Its oldest parts date back to the 19th century, the newest figures were added after the year 2,000. Vojtěch Blažek:
“This Easter nativity scene was created from a number of Passion scenes that were found around Jihlava. For instance this part depicting the crucifixion of Christ is from a Passion scene that was exhibited in the Church of St. John the Baptist sometime around the year 2,000. The Last Supper is very interesting, it is probably the oldest, the figures are partially made of wax, as was done in the oldest nativity scenes in the 18th and 19th centuries. So what is really interesting about this Passion scene is that it is a compilation of the work of many authors over the past centuries.”
This is the first time that the Passion nativity scene is being shown to the public in its entirely with the old figures complemented by newer ones to cover the story of the entire Easter week. Each scene has been lit up, so as to show it to the best advantage. Vojtěch Blažek:
“Here we have the scene with Pontius Pilate, governor of the Jews who was added to the Passion nativity in 2004, we see Judas who betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin in the Garden of Gethsemane, in exchange for 30 pieces of silver, we can see Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Last Supper, St. Peter and the rooster, Judas hanging, the Stations of the Cross and, of course, the crucifixion. In the Czech Republic, such a large-scale Passion nativity scene is truly unique. We do know that an elderly couple in the town of Bechyně created a beautiful wooden Passion nativity scene, but that one is completely new.”
The Passion Nativity scene is on display at the Church of St. James the Greater in Jihlava from Ash Wednesday until the end of Easter.
