Christians around the world observed Good Friday in a procession commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion.
The Holy Week tradition is dedicated to Jesus’ suffering when Jesus carried the cross for crucification.
In Mexico, Catholics in the town of Tasco had overnight queues, carrying crosses, whipping themselves with sacrifices of sin and rituals of tone sin.
In a tradition dating back to 1622, “encruzados” (crucified) carried a large bundle of nasty branches tied to the shoulders while wearing masks to maintain anonymity
They embraced a heavy bundle as they walked barefoot to emulate the suffering of Jesus Christ carrying the cross.
Flagellates use a type of whip made of ropes and nails called “discorina” (discipline).
A masked woman known as the “encorvada” (Hunchback) walked barefoot down the cobblestone streets, dragging her chains and carrying a cross.
Christians in Jerusalem carried a large wooden cross, marking Good Friday and chanting prayers.
Worshipers walked along Dororosa, a cobblestone path that sweeps through the limestone walled old town. There, tradition says that Jesus took the final step when he carried the cross to the cross.
In the Philippines, decades-old traditions in Pampanga are seeing the re-enactment of the crucifixion itself.
Gory Spectacle attracts a large crowd from around the world every year during Holy Week, despite being frowned upon by church leaders.
On Friday, more than 100 people were seen nailing them to wooden crosses.
Reuben Enagerje has transformed him into a village celebrity due to his role as “Christ” in the re-enactment of the Way of the Cross. The 64-year-old was the main actor who played the role of Jesus, who was nailed to the cross on Friday.
This year he is glued to his 36th cross, but Enagee said at a press conference he would retire.
“I’m already old, and we’ve decided to stop because our bodies are like depleted plants,” he said.
Among the tourist crowd was David Harper, 50, a British citizen.
“It’s unique and probably crazy,” he said. “It’s so hardcore I’ve never seen anything like that in my life, it’s so fun but it’s mad.”
In the village of Caranda, Spain, over 1,000 people gathered around a local church with drums. There, it creates a rhythm that lasts 26 hours without a pause, starting at noon on Good Friday.
The “ronpida de la hola” (rest time) act represents the roar heard on earth after the death of Jesus Christ.
Holy Week will peak on Sunday with Easter celebrations.
