It was very common for the Romans to whip their prisoners as a prelude to crucifixion. The whips used had small pieces of metal or bone at the tips. In some cases the victim was also turned over to allow flagellation on the chest (perhaps one may remember the film ‘The Passion of the Christ’ produced by Mel Gibson. The whipping of prisoners could easily cause disfigurement and serious trauma, such as ripping pieces of flesh from the body or loss of an eye. The Romans reserved this treatment for non-citizens.
The Good Friday procession is nowadays more like a pageant than a solemn procession and as many as a thousand people – mostly from the organising town or village – may take part. People of both sexes and of all ages dressed up as Biblical figures (such as Adam & Eve, Abel & Cain, Moses, Abraham and Jacob, King David, members of the Sanhedrine) are placed between one statue and the next recalling events from the Old Testament and prophecies as a prelude to the coming statue. Many other locals add colour to the pageant dressed as Roman soldiers in shining armour. I posted pictures of some of these on 365 last year and wanted to do something different. This statue is again from the Mosta set
Don Roos with regard to your query, Islam is believed to have been introduced to Malta in 870 when Islamic forces conquered Malta and Sicily but Malta returned to Christian Europe with the Norman Conquest in 1091. Although other religious Orders started coming to Malta soon after, the Jesuits only decided to establish themselves here in the 1500’s.
So many thanks for looking and for your lovely comments on yesterday’s picture.
It is incredible to think of what Jesus endured even before He was placed on the cross. I am sure that the pageantry may distract some from HIs suffering, but others may see it quite clearly. You are posting some wonderful shots of these beautiful sculptures Dione!
This statue is an amazing interpretation of what Christ went through before the Crucification. It truly is a time of reflection upon what He had to endure for all of mankind. It would be fascinating for me to see the local people participating in the procession in costume. This is an amazing account of these happenings, Dione!
@sangwann@shanne We don't have a procession in our church, but instead we have a service of Tennabrae. The Scriptures are read to the moments leading up to the death of Christ on the cross. Hymns and songs are sung which emphasize the sacrifice and suffering of Christ and at certain intervals the lights are dimmed until the Father turns away from the sins of the world which were laid upon Jesus. The lights are completely dark then. We leave the sanctuary in silence with only enough light to see. It is very moving and meaningful. It gives us great expectation for the joy of Easter too. For me, it brings to life the words of Ps. 30:5.
@olivetreeann Palm Sunday evening there's a stations of the cross service a bit like that one. And on Good Friday there's a liturgy of the last hour at 2pm, which I won't be around for this year. The Walk of Witness with the cross like this is a joint churches service on Good Friday morning,and there's a children's service beforehand where they walk through the Easter Service
@shanne That's very interesting Shanne. I do love how many different ways faith can be expressed through our liturgy and worship. Thanks for the open window into yours!
The statute and you capture are great and beautiful