Good Friday processions

Going back to last Friday, here are some photos I took of one of the dozen processions held all over Malta on Good Friday. Each procession has around 10 life-size statues, carried shoulder high through the streets of the parish. Between each statue, there is a retinue of characters from the Bible, from Roman times, and from the passion of Christ, Various banners proclaim the 7 last words of Jesus as well as Roman placards with the famous SPQR logo. Various men carry crosses on their back, some with hooded masks to protect from anonymity when they make vows to take part in the procession.

This particular procession was held in the town of Zebbug, and it is well known for the large number of Roman soldiers taking part, including a few on horses and one on a chariot. These processions are very solemn and reverent, compared to the other festive processions held in the summer months, honoring the various titular saints. A few marching bands are also an important part of the Good Friday procession, playing funeral marches. I have one more post on Holy Week, which will be dedicated to another procession of the Risen Christ – that’s for tomorrow.