Semana Santa 06: Good Friday, 1

May 10th, 2006

Early Good Friday in Lucban, Quezon and I was already at the church looking for something to photograph. While inside, a group of men carrying a body wrapped in brown cloth came in. At first I thought it was a dead man as the arms were moving, bouncing up and down as the men brisk walked. Then I realized that iIts the image of the crucified Christ sans the cross! This was one of those unexpected moments. I didn’t anticipate this but luckily, I was at the right place at the right time.

After laying the image on top of the altar, they came out and moments later, they were now carrying the cross. When the reached infront of the altar, they then setup the cross, took the image and placed it carefully. The hands and feet were slowly put into place with the “nails” until it was in position. After this was done, the cross, now with the image, was borne and raised up and secured.

1500H, coinciding the time that Christ was said to have died, the same men, now dressed in white robes came forward while the faithful were already in the church. Slowly, the marched to the altar and slowly came up to the cross. They then patiently took the “nails” and slowly took down the image, placed it on a white cloth, wrapped it and then took the image to the sacristy. They then went out, came up to the cross, unmounted it and then carried it to the back of the church.

The image of the Christ, this one with movable arms is carried inside the church and placed on the altar. The men carrying the image then went back and carried the cross.