Thousands watch a living Biblical history lesson

They waited in their thousands for up to three hours on the Cinta Costera  for the arrival of the Good Friday procession of the Divina Misericordia church .

When it arrived at around 9.30 p.m. after wending through Paitilla, the spectators were treated to a two hour live biblical history lesson, with hundreds of walking participants representing almost every character known to Christian followers.

It started with the Old Testament, each walker carrying a plaque identifying his or her biblical name. Moses needed no name tag, he carried the tablet inscribed with the ten commandments.

The life of Jesus was illustrated by depictions of the characters and miracles of the New Testaments, from Herod, Salome and dancers with seven veils, to fishermen and their wives distributing bread to the crowd, symbolizing the miracle of the fishes and the bread. Lepers in rags walked barefooted in contrast to the silk clad courtesan of Herod, and between the groups walked “angels” and “cherubs”, sometimes having to struggle with their wings against the breeze coming from the Pacific.

The events leading to the crucifixion  were illustrated with giant floats moved by man power, and accompanied by dirge playing bands.

The crowds watched in silence until the arrival of “Christ” carrying the cross, then they burst into applause, repeated when others destined for execution followed bearing their own crosses.

They applauded again when the Centurian in charge of an escort of  foot stamping Roman soldiers, upset at their  failure to keep in step, ordered them down to do a series of press ups.

John Wayne, who once owned an Island nearby, would have approved.

The final applause came with the arrival of the giant sarcophagus carrying the body of Christ, and supported on the shoulders of purple clad penitents.
At around 11.45, the Biblical depictions ended, with hundreds of the faithful walking behind. For them there was at least another ninety minutes to go, as the procession wended its way towards the Miramar Hotel, before turning into Avenida Balboa on its way back to the Church in Paitilla.

A folder of photographs will be available in the album file, later today (Saturday).

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