CHRISTIANIZING THE SPACE: THE PROTAGONISM OF THE VERA CRUZ IN MARMELAR

Abstract

Since the Christianization of the city of Jerusalem (fourth century), the borders of Christendom were constantly changed. This factor intensified in the medieval context, due to the Muslim occupation both in the regions of the east, as the Iberian Peninsula. Military Orders, which arise after the First Crusade contributed significantly to the consolidation of this process. In Portugal the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, recognized by the papacy in the twelfth century played a significant role, through the Crato Priory. This consisted in commendations regime and bailias, local units of the hospitaller deployment in the region. Among these commendations, Marmelar´s stands out in this text, by having in its interior a venerable fragment as derived from the Vera Cruz. This relic contributed to enlarge the spiritual heritage and prestige of the place, being subject of disputes, but also having political and demographic significance.