Janthopoyism
Sacred Travel: Ecce Homo
#holythrowback to the greatest day of my life, in 2019, when I visited the Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man") painting at the Sanctuary of Mercy, Borja, Spain.
The largely unknown 1930 Ecce Homo fresco by Elías García Martínez skyrocketed to internet superstardom when untrained 81-year-old artist, Cecilia Giménez, attempted to restore the piece in 2012. She worked in good faith, but her (reportedly incomplete) job transformed Jesus into an indistinguishable figure, leading to the nickname Potato Jesus or Ecce Mono ("Behold the Monkey").
Initially, Giménez was distraught by the amused backlash, but the Lord works in mysterious ways. Tourists rapidly embarked on the challenging journey to witness the art, and the church used the opportunity to generate roughly €50,000 yearly for the town. Giménez eventually commented that "the restoration has put Borja on the world map, meaning I’ve done something for my village that nobody else was able to do".
Having accomplished the mission myself, let me assure you it’s no stroll in paradise. First, a two-hour train from Barcelona to Zaragoza, then a one-hour bus to the tiny community of Borja (population 4,931), ending with a 6km walk up a steep hill to the church. But when I contemplate all my travels, this stands out as an absolute highlight, perhaps the most amazing thing I have ever done.
Scroll down for photos of the museum they’ve set up just for us (including a stuffed map where visitors pin where they came from) and the long (gorgeous!) walk to the church. Christ is still king in Spain, with 56.4% of its people identifying as Catholics. 39.3% are uncertain/indifferent non-believers.
The largely unknown 1930 Ecce Homo fresco by Elías García Martínez skyrocketed to internet superstardom when untrained 81-year-old artist, Cecilia Giménez, attempted to restore the piece in 2012. She worked in good faith, but her (reportedly incomplete) job transformed Jesus into an indistinguishable figure, leading to the nickname Potato Jesus or Ecce Mono ("Behold the Monkey").
Initially, Giménez was distraught by the amused backlash, but the Lord works in mysterious ways. Tourists rapidly embarked on the challenging journey to witness the art, and the church used the opportunity to generate roughly €50,000 yearly for the town. Giménez eventually commented that "the restoration has put Borja on the world map, meaning I’ve done something for my village that nobody else was able to do".
Having accomplished the mission myself, let me assure you it’s no stroll in paradise. First, a two-hour train from Barcelona to Zaragoza, then a one-hour bus to the tiny community of Borja (population 4,931), ending with a 6km walk up a steep hill to the church. But when I contemplate all my travels, this stands out as an absolute highlight, perhaps the most amazing thing I have ever done.
Scroll down for photos of the museum they’ve set up just for us (including a stuffed map where visitors pin where they came from) and the long (gorgeous!) walk to the church. Christ is still king in Spain, with 56.4% of its people identifying as Catholics. 39.3% are uncertain/indifferent non-believers.
Janthopoyism is a spiritual philosophy meets self-improvement program.
We view the Absolute collection of all Universal Energy to be the highest power. You are part of that power. You are an extension of divinity.
The ultimate purpose of this power is to evolve, and we each have a unique part to play in this progression. The details of your role are relayed to you every moment of your life via emotional notifications.
The tricky bit is that human beings have developed a communication barrier between themselves and this instruction.
This barrier is called "the brain".
But never fear! By utilising some very simple practices, you can open the flow of exchange, granting you access to the ether of infinite ideas, the infallible path of your guided destiny, and the recollection of your holiness.
Which is basically a wanky way of saying that your life is about to get a whole bunch better.
Join the movement before it becomes too mainstream.
We view the Absolute collection of all Universal Energy to be the highest power. You are part of that power. You are an extension of divinity.
The ultimate purpose of this power is to evolve, and we each have a unique part to play in this progression. The details of your role are relayed to you every moment of your life via emotional notifications.
The tricky bit is that human beings have developed a communication barrier between themselves and this instruction.
This barrier is called "the brain".
But never fear! By utilising some very simple practices, you can open the flow of exchange, granting you access to the ether of infinite ideas, the infallible path of your guided destiny, and the recollection of your holiness.
Which is basically a wanky way of saying that your life is about to get a whole bunch better.
Join the movement before it becomes too mainstream.
