GERMANY: A German town recreates Jesus' walk of suffering to the cross as part of their Good Friday celebrations

Record ID: 714573

  • Title: GERMANY: A German town recreates Jesus' walk of suffering to the cross as part of their Good Friday celebrations
  • Date: 2nd April 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF JESUS CARRYING WOODEN CROSS IN PROCESSION MARY MAGDALENE IN BLACK FOLLOWING JESUS JESUS CARRYING CROSS VARIOUS OF CRIMINAL BEING CRUCIFIED VARIOUS OF JESUS BEING CRUCIFIED SKIT MEMBER WATCHING VARIOUS JESUS BEING CRUCIFIED ROMANS PLAYING DICE AT FOOT OF CROSS JESUS ON CROSS JESUS TELLING CRIMINAL THEY WILL MEET IN PARADISE JESUS DIES ON CROSS PEOPLE WATCHING VARIOUS OF JESUS ON CROSS (SOUNDBITE) (German) ONLOOKER, MATTHIAS WEHMEYER, SAYING: "We have lived in Bensheim a long time and this is the second or third time that we have come to watch the procession. It's quite something to be able to see the story of the cross, in real life and not just to read it in the Bible or hear about it in church. For Christians this is very important to be able to experience this." (SOUNDBITE) (German) ONLOOKER, STEFAN GLOHGER, SAYING: "I am seeing this for the first time and to see the story told one to one like this has much more of an impact than reading the story for the 30th or the 40th time. I was very moved by the procession." (SOUNDBITE) (German) ONLOOKER, PETRA LERCHEL, SAYING: "The whole thing has really moved me. It is just a piece that gives one something to think about in this day and age. All over the world I think, It's a good nudge to think about things." VARIOUS OF JESUS BEING TAKEN DOWN FROM CROSS MARY HOLDING JESUS IN HER LAP
  • Embargoed: 17th April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA89DOZFCLMZABDYCZATNDHPFM5
  • Story Text: The town of Bensheim, in south-western Germany is celebrating Good Friday (April 2) with a re-enactment of Jesus' walk of suffering to the cross.
    Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar and this is the 28th time Bensheim is honouring the tradition.
    Around 80 actors took part in the event which is traditionally presented by Bensheim's Italian community.
    For Bensheim, the procession is not just about bringing a spectacle to life for the thousands of onlookers, it wants to use their portrayal of events to remind people what Easter is all about.
    The procession follows Christ's progress to his eventual crucifixion which takes him from Judas' betrayal, past the priests and finally to Roman General Pontius Pilate.
    According to the Bible it was left to the people to decide whether a Jesus Barabbas or Jesus would be crucified. The people condemned Jesus, who is given a crown of thorns to wear before carrying the wooden cross to the place of his crucifixion.
    In the moment of his death the bible says that Jesus calls out to God, "My My God, Why have you forsaken me?"
    Among the onlookers was Stefan Glohger, who said the opportunity to experience the story live gave the message a new impact.
    Petra Lerchel was also moved, "It is just a piece that gives one something to think about in this day and age. All over the world I think, It's a good nudge to think about things," she said.
    According to the Bible three days after the crucifixion Mary Magdalene finds Jesus' grace empty and is told of his resurrection.
    Good Friday signifies the official beginning of Easter, which symbolises the central Christian belief that death does not signify the end but a new beginning.
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