Philippine Easter Rituals of Crucifixion
Philippines has many top rated event venues for wedding ceremony and wedding reception, especially up in the north in Subic and Pampanga.
February 14, 2011
Bloody Filipino Observances for the Atonement of Sins
Each Easter in the Philippines, Christians make a grueling march on Good Friday to atone for their sins through self-flagellation and crucifixion.
In the Philippines at the Easter season, Roman Catholics practice the extreme ascetic rituals of flagellation, cutting,wearing crowns of thorns, bearing crosses, and crucifixion, emulating the passion of Christ. These Christian Filipinos are Roman Catholic, although the Church does not officially approve of these observances.
Purpose Behind the Ascetic Rituals
The purpose of performing these rituals is to ask forgiveness for the sins committed over the year for oneself and one’s family — a type of penitence. In following the last painful events in the life of Christ, these people feel a closer connection with their religion and their God, and a feeling of ease or forgiveness for their sins.
Ascetic practices, or what might be called “mortification of the flesh” can be seen in some religious sects. This was shown in the Opus Dei (a controversial Roman Catholic organization) character in the fictional work The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (Doubleday, 2003). This Opus Dei assassin practiced mortification of the flesh in order to bring his body under subjugation of his spirit.
Some Christian ascetics believe that the apostle Paul taught asceticism in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:13 “If you live after the flesh, you shall die, but if through the spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live.” The Catholics believe that this means that mortification or self-inflicted acts of pain will end the disease of the soul.
While Christ’s atonement was to pay for all men’s sins, the Catholic belief is that men should also do something in the expiations of their own sins, which sacrificing acts are pleasing to God. Protestants do not practice such extreme asceticism, but do practice fasting for somewhat similar reasons.
Easter Rituals in the Philippines
Each year in the Philippines, particularly in Pampanga Province, men and women take part in the passion plays of torture and crucifixion as symbolic of the suffering of Jesus Christ. At the end of the march on Good Friday, with self-flagellation, whipping and cutting of the flesh by officials, and carrying heavy crosses. Each year, over a dozen people are actually hung on crosses.
Crucifixion is an extremely painful form of torture and death. The Filipino crucifixion followers are either tied to the crosses or actually nailed there. They are not left on the crosses to die, as was the practice during ancient times by the Romans and other civilizations worldwide generally from the 6th century B.C.E. to the 4th century C.E.. In actual crucifixions, people usually died from asphyxiation or heart failure.
Most Filipinos attest to the feeling of worship, forgiveness and cleanliness that occurs through the process of their painful Easter rituals. They generally practice self-flagellation and crucifixion to atone for their sins.
Others Who Self-Flagellate
The Filipinos are not the only modern group to practice self-flagellate in the name of religion. It is also seen by the Shi’ite Muslims as they commemorate the passion of Imam Husayn and other martyrs at the Battle of Karbala in the 7th century C.E. Catholic monks and nuns practiced self-flagellation since medieval times as a reminder of the suffering of Christ. In modern days Los Hermanos Penitente of Colorado and New Mexico practice self-flagellation, the bearing of crosses, and actual crucifixion like the Filipinos.
It was reported by a nun who looked after Pope John Paul II , that he practiced self-flagellation, and the sounds of the whip on his flesh could often be heard from his living quarters.
Source: http://www.suite101.com/content/philippine-easter-rituals-of-crucifixion-a209064
Clark Freeport located in Pampanga Philippines is just 70 minutes from Manila. Many wedding couples travel out of town for a getaway to hold wedding receptions and beach wedding ceremony in the beautiful and highly recommended hotels and resorts in Clark.
Clark’s neighbor Angeles City provides nightlife and bars for entertainment. However, most guests prefer to stay inside Clark Freeport for safety and security reasons. Wedding venues for outdoor reception are very popular in Clark. Brides and grooms travel out of town north of Manila to get married in Clark.
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, contact us ( link to contact page)
<a href=”http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com”>www.philippinesweddingvenue.com</a>
Philippines Wedding Venues Service Center
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
Email: Wedding@Yats-International.com
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us <a href=”http://www.philippinesweddingvenue.com/?page_id=4″>click here</a>
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
<a href=”http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com”>http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com</a>
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit <a href=”http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com”>http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com</a>
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
<a href=”http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com”>http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com</a>