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Crucifixion in the Philippines: Tourists Welcome
As the only officially Catholic country in Asia, the Philippines, thanks to Father Pedro de Valderama who arrived with Spanish explorer Magellan in the early 1500s, is gearing up for Easter. And there are few places on Earth where religious fervor is matched in such graphic shows of penitence and resolve to do better. Although there are calmer, more sedate versions of the Good Friday celebratory happenings, the most extreme are the Penitencia where people mirror Jesus' suffering by being nailed to a cross. Others dress up like Roman soldiers. Really. There's a bit more to it than this, and no one actually dies, but it sure isn't pleasant. The government and the Catholic Church both frown on the practice, but those who are involved are determined.
Tourists do show up. If you're interested, here's a link that lists some of these Good Friday events. I also found this interesting read by Larry Kingston in the online travel magazine The Tangent-Ezine. Kingston was an eyewitness to last year's event. Besides providing an account of the happenings and his impressions, his article is filled with photographs. The photo here is of people waiting for the crucifixion to take place. These crosses are part of the scenery.
Filed under: History, Learning, Asia, Philippines
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Caitlin Apr 5th 2007 8:01PM
Dylan, Mary was supposedly born completely free of sin. When Catholics celebrate the "Immaculate Conception", it is not the birth of Jesus, as many believe, but the conception of Mary, whom God chose to be born the one human without sin so as (so I assume) to be worthy of giving birth to Jesus.
Caitlin Apr 5th 2007 8:01PM
To grew up catholic:
You must not have grown up Catholic if you really think we idolize/worship Mary and the Saints. It's this funny thing called intercession. Plenty of people ask others to pray for them in times of need--this is the exact same thing. The Hail Mary does not say "Hail Mary, Creator who gave us life". It says "pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of hour death". PRAY FOR US.
drheart777 Apr 5th 2007 8:50PM
To begin with, Catholics Salvation is very much in question, to say the least. They follow the Pope, which carrys a Satanic cross with Jesus on it. Look it up in search if you doubt my word on this. Put in : The Bent Cross" and see for yourselves. Catholics add and take away from Gods word, your either for Jesus, or you aren't. I have a relationship with Jesus, not The Pope or Mary.
John Apr 5th 2007 8:49PM
I am an Orthodox Christian Priest, Father John. The practice of re-enacting the crucifixion by nailing people to real crosses is repugnant to both the Roman Church and the Orthodox Church. Jesus suffered this kind of death as obedience to the Father, not as a sideshow or theater. To have it as theater trivializes the very real pain and suffering of slowly dying of suffocation, dehydration and exposure. It is NOT a truly Christian practice, but it one of the many superstitious practices that the Church would love to put an end to. The anti-Catholic bigotry of one of the writers merely reflects willful ignorance on his part...and he should be prayed for.
Orthodox and Roman Christians are never to "pray to" the Saints, but, rather, to ask the Saints to intercede for them, even as we ask an earthly prayer circle. However, the Saints have lived holy lives, and have let go of their attachment to the world, and St. James tells us that the "prayer of a righteous man avails much" (or righteous woman). Because Faith is reckoned unto us as righteousness, and the Blessed Virgin was the most faithful person who ever lived (saying "yes" to the angel without regard for herself), she is the most righteous person who has ever lived...and the prayers of the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary are very powerful.
Steve W. Apr 5th 2007 8:48PM
First of all, Jesus was not crucified on a cross. The "New Testament" was written in the Greek language. The true English translation of the Greek word "styros" means "Stake." Though some people were placed on Crosses, the Greek language says "Styros" which translates in English to "Stake." Also, he arose on what the Jewish Calandar says is "Nisan 14." That is the same date each year, but not the same day of the month of April. However, people in the US like to also celebrate Easter, Egg Hunting, etc., which has nothing to do with what Jesus's told his desciples to celebrate
peter Jun 3rd 2007 4:31PM
my interest is if jesus asks to pray through him to our father. And also that axcept for jesus every one else has DIED and all are sleeping till the coming of Christ where all will be awakened to be judged. How can one pray to Mary to have the prayer passed to jesus where she too is asleep and awaiting Gods deliverence. that means she cannot pass the prayer on until JESUS COMES. Though shalt not bow down to any false idols or images. even images of church