The word “victoria” after which this image is named refers to the victory over death. Jesus has suffered a terrible passion and death, but through them, He has merited a glorious and eternal life. The accused, slaughtered by torments and scorn, has risen from the tomb and now tramples on the serpent, which symbolizes evil and sin. The cross is no longer an instrument of torture; Christ shows the cross as a sign of victory.
A Christ venerated greatly by the faithful
Since Domingo de Rioja sculpted this image in 1630, this life-size and realistic sculpture has captivated everyone who had seen it. In 1660, a monastery of the Augustinian Recollect nuns was founded in Serradilla (Cáceres, Spain), which since its very foundation until today has become a shrine of this Christ, venerated greatly by the faithful.
In Serradilla, the closing of the diocesan phase of the process of the canonization of Isabel of Jesus will be held on the 4th of May. It was Isabel of Jesus who moved for the foundation of this convent of the Santisimo Cristo de la Victoria (the most Holy Christ of Victory). We then move towards the Easter season. It is a liturgical season, which begins now in these three days of mourning and triumph. Rioja expresses all this in his sculpture. And it is what the liturgical hymns sing.
The royal banners forward go,
the cross shines forth in mystic glow;
where he in flesh, our flesh who made,
our sentence bore, our ransom paid.
Where deep for us the spear was dyed,
life’s torrent rushing from his side,
to wash us in that precious flood,
where mingled water flowed, and blood.
Fulfilled is all that David told
in true prophetic song of old,
amidst the nations, God, saith he,
hath reigned and triumphed from the tree.
O tree of beauty, tree of light!
O tree with royal purple dight!
Elect on whose triumphal breast
those holy limbs should find their rest.
Blest tree, whose chosen branches bore
the wealth that did the world restore,
the price of humankind to pay,
and spoil the spoiler of his prey.
Upon its arms, like balance true,
he weighed the price for sinners due,
the price which none but he could pay,
and spoiled the spoiler of his prey.
O cross, our one reliance, hail!
Still may thy power with us avail
to give new virtue to the saint,
and pardon to the penitent.
To thee, eternal Three in One,
let homage meet by all be done:
whom by the cross thou dost restore,
preserve and govern evermore.