Catholic devotees were nailed to wooden crosses as part of a Good Friday re-enactment of Jesus's crucifixion today.
Devotees screamed out in pain as actors dressed as Roman soldiers hammered two-inch-long nails into their feet and hands.
 |
| Devotees screamed out in pain as actors dressed as Roman soldiers hammered two-inch-long nails into their feet and hands (Photo: REUTERS) |
The 'soldiers' had marched the bold worshippers to the outskirts of Cutud village, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Manila, in the Philippines.
They then hoisted them onto nailed to wooden crosses under the sweltering noon heat, in the northern province of Pampanga.
Tourists were seen taking selfies with crosses in the background.
 |
| Tourists were seen taking selfies with crosses in the background (Photo: EPA) |
Devotees in the fervently Catholic Philippines nailed themselves to crosses and whipped their backs in extreme acts of faith that have become an annual tourist attraction
Ruben Enaje, who was nailed to the cross for the 31st consecutive time, said he prayed for those killed by criminals and drug addicts in the country. He also wished good health to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte who launched a bloody crackdown on narcotics last year.
 |
| Devotees in the fervently Catholic Philippines nailed themselves to crosses and whipped their backs in extreme acts of faith that have become an annual tourist attraction (Photo: AFP) |
The Catholic Church disapproves of the rite that originally started as a small stage play in the 1960s and says it is a "misinterpretation of faith," but the event has become a popular tourist event which draws hundreds annually.
 |
| A man's feet nailed to a cross (Photo: EPA) |
Around eight in 10 Filipinos are Catholic.
Many Filipino Catholics often perform religious penance during the Holy Week as a form of worship and supplication, which some believe cleanses away sins, cures illnesses and even grants wishes.
No comments:
Post a Comment