For Christians around the world, this is Holy Week, which includes numerous activities and celebrations that precede Easter Sunday. Common activities include performing the Stations of the Cross, which revisits Jesus’ crucifixion, Seder meals to recall the Last Supper, washing of the feet, which Jesus did for his disciples, and processions on Good Friday, the day Jesus died.
But some cultures take these celebrations beyond mere remembrances. Here are some of the more extreme Good Friday celebrations around the world:
Iztapalapa, Mexico
Residents of this Mexico City suburb perform a realistic “Passion Play,” a dramatic representation of Christ’s crucifixion and death. While not sanctioned by the Catholic Church, it is sponsored by the area government, which has designated it an “intangible cultural heritage” of Mexico City - a UNESCO designation that focuses on intangible elements of a culture.
During the play, 4,000 local actors re-enact Christ’s walk to his death on Calvary. The individual who portrays Jesus, chosen for his moral character and physical strength, endures wearing a crown of thorns and being flogged as he carries a 200-pound cross. He is then tied to it in a re-enactment of the crucifixion.
Pampanga, Philippines
In the Philippines, there is no tying to the cross. Instead, participants are actually nailed - hands and feet - to a cross just as Jesus Christ was 2,000 years ago. The San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites in Pampanga have taken place on Good Friday after a two-hour street play every year since 1962.
At least three, and as many as 12, individuals are nailed to a cross on a makeshift Calvary. Each person remains on the cross until he “feels cleansed of his sin,” while others flog themselves with bamboo sticks tied to a rope. One man has been nailed to the cross 22 times.
Trafalgar Square, London
This realistic interpretation of Jesus’ death is not as graphic as Pampanga’s, but it’s still not advised for young children. The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square involves more than 100 participants from the Wintershall Players, as well as horses, doves and donkeys.
Some 20,000 spectators attend the event, which has free 90-minute performances at noon and 3.15 pm on Good Friday, as well as big screens to ensure everyone can watch.
San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Spain
Participants dressed in white habits flog themselves at the “Los Picaos” procession in the Rioja Village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in northern Spain. Using esparto grass ropes, they whip their backs in a graphic display for 20 minutes. This method of penance, used in many places through the 18th century, has managed to survive to modern times in this Spanish village.
Bensheim, Germany
Germany’s take on the suffering of Jesus is a bit tamer. The charming southwestern town of Bensheim, which just celebrated its 1,250th anniversary, has hosted an annual Good Friday procession presented by local Italian families since 1982.
Crowds gather for the theatrical performance, which begins with Judas’ famous kiss of betrayal and includes Jesus’ appearance before the Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate sentencing him to death and Jesus’ scourging, carrying of the cross and death.
Religious Easter traditions
For Christians, Easter is the holiest and oldest of all traditions, and it's related to the even more ancient Jewish festival of Passover, which is described in the Old Testament. Both holidays are celebrated at the same time of year, often (but not always) in the same week. Passover takes place over one week in remembrance of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. For Christians, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion.
Christians throughout India celebrate Easter with special church services and prayers. "Most homes will have a special get-together with family and close friends. The celebration is mainly spiritual and not too elaborate." Families in India may keep a small box or earthen pot as a place to put money aside regularly as an offering. On Easter Day, some families donate this sum to the local church, an orphanage, or people in need.
In Austria, there's a unique twist to the religious observance of Easter. "Between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday morning mass, you won't hear any church bells ringing, because according to religious lore, they all fly to Rome," says Ilse Eichinger, editor of BabyCenter Austria. "Instead, the 'Ratschenbuben' (altar boys with rattles) go to work, making a lot of noise with their 'Ratschen' (wooden rattles), saying prayers, and singing rhymes."
Pagan Easter traditions
Many things about Easter are neither Jewish nor Christian in origin. For example, the English name "Easter" and the German name "Ostern" are both derived from old Germanic roots. Also, the traditions of having an Easter eve bonfire or burning Easter wheels and then pushing them downhill come from Germanic and Celtic heliolatry, or sun worship. Even the popular colourful Easter egg has its origins in another pagan belief: It was considered a symbol of fertility in Egypt.
Today, eggs are nearly synonymous with Easter in many countries, including Germany, Austria, India, and Switzerland. At the end of Lent, hard-boiled eggs are colored, Easter trees or bouquets are decorated with little wooden figurines and hollowed-out painted eggs, and people buy or bake special sweet Easter breads, often bursting with raisins.
