Good Friday Procession#
by G. Jontes
To introduction in English. Note: All photos were taken by the author in 1992 and are from the author's archive "Pictureflood Jontes".
The parish church of Holy Philipp of Agira in Zebbug
Baroque sculpture
Drums are leading
Roman legionaries and members of the Praetorian Guard
Ancient history recreated in detail
Ancient history recreated in detail
One of the highlights of the procession, a Roman chariot
Announcement of the sufferings of Christ
Announcement of the sufferings of Christt
Cucifix with Arma Christi
Moses leads the processions as described in the Old Testament
The symbols of bread and wine are carried in front of king Melchisedech
Scrolls in Maltese are explaining the groups of the procession
The king with all his pomp
The king with all his pomp
Biblical figures
Biblical figures
Saint Peter with his keys
This is the first of the stages that are carried. It shows Christ on mount Olivet with the chalice of suffering
Each stage is carried by ten men
Each stage is carried by ten men
The sculptures are lifesize and made of massive wood
If the load is too heavy, helpers are at hand.
The blood of Christ in the chalice of the last supper
Christ has to be captured
The lantern of the night-time mount Olivet as relic
Betrayal by Judas
Moneybag of Judas as relic
Carriers
The kiss of Judas
A high priest
Jewish authorities against Jesus
Jewish authorities against Jesus
Jewish authorities against Jesus
Roman legionaries structure the processions
Roman legionaries structure the processions
The whips as relics
Even Caesar is part of the procession
Even Caesar is part of the procession
Members of the Praetorian Guard are with him
Caesar
Woman with scroll
„I wash my hands in innocence“
Praetorian Guard
Praetorian Guard
The flagellation of Christ
The flagellation of Christ
The flagellation of Christ
Pontius Pilatus, the Roman governor
Pontius Pilatus, the Roman governor
Wife of Pilatus
Roman soldiers
Roman soldiers
King David leads back to the Old Testament. Bathseba is with him
King David
King David
The suffering continues
The scoundrel Barabbas goes free instead of Jesus
Christ after flagellation
Christ after flagellation
Even the Egyptian pharao is quoted
Veronica gives Jesus her sudarium
These relics are not mentioned in the Bible.
These relics are not mentioned in the Bible.
These relics are not mentioned in the Bible.
SENATUS POPOLUSQUE Romanus – The power of Rome in occupied Judea
SENATUS POPOLUSQUE Romanus – The power of Rome in occupied Judea
Roman legionaries show this power
God demands a scarifice- Abraham with the small Isaak
God demands a scarifice- Abraham with the small Isaak
Legionary
The carriage of the governor
Jesus falls under the cross
Legionaries
The Good Friday procession is also a procession of repenting sinners. Hooded repenters pull or carry crosses.
Hooded repenters pull or carry crosses.
Hooded repenters pull or carry crosses.
Hooded repenters pull or carry crosses.
Joseph of Arimathea helps Jesus carry the cross
Flags with the Seven Words Jesus on the crucifix
Hight Priest
Romans guarding the crucified Jesus
The stage with the crucifix
The stage with the crucifix
Funeral marches accompany the last phases of the procession
Jesus on the crufix
Jonas was three days in the whale – Jesus until his resurrection in the empire of death
The end of the procession: priests accompany Christ laid out.
Christ laid out
Procession