Catholics re-enact crucifixion

[John]

In the village of San Pedro Cutud, male penitents walked through the streets in procession, lashing their backs with bamboo whips in a sign of penitence for their sins.

Later in the day at least 12 people including an Australian national were nailed to wooden crosses in a re-enactment of Jesus' crucifixion.

The devotees were crucified three at a time, their palms and feet nailed to wooden crosses with four inch nails soaked in alcohol to prevent infection.

The ordeal lasts for a few minutes and and attracts thousands of tourists to the village.

Participants believe re-enacting Christ's suffering is a way to atone for their sins, but the rituals are opposed by religious leaders in the Philippines.

Good Friday is part of the Christian Holy Week which ends with Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate Christ's resurrection.

Catholics in the Mexican town of Taxco celebrated on Thursday night and into early Friday morning with a large annual procession that commemorates and re-enacts the Crucifixion.

Penitents in the procession bear large bundles of thorny sticks tied to their shoulders, and masks throughout to protect their identity, as is traditional, so he will not receive praise from anyone but God.

Christians from around the world crowded into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem on Friday.

The ancient Church of the Holy Sepulchre is traditionally the site of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, and a smooth rose marble slab marks the spot where Jesus' body was believed to have been placed after it was removed from the cross.

[JohnCenaFan28]

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