Iztapalapa, Mexico Cancels Historic Crucifixion Remembrance

Starting February, the Lenten season begins, and the Catholics are beginning to exercise their religious tradition all over the world and that is to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to save humanity from their sins. It is also to remind the people of their sins and the Lenten season is the best time to repent. It is an annual celebration of the Roman Catholic, and the Church has something to do with it.

Celebrating the season of lent shows how religious people are in Mexico. They are known to be very religious and are willing to make sacrifices for the feast and such sacrifices include crucifixion. Crucifixion was a form of capital punishment in much earlier times, and it is so fatal that it caused the death of many prisoners and criminals. It all starts with a parade where prisoners in earlier times must carry their cross from the place where their trials were held until the place where they are going to be crucified. During the parade, people will discriminate and can throw anything at the prisoner as per their vengeance.

However, these modern days, it is just a part of the celebration. In Mexico, they have volunteers to initiate and carry the cross that they created. It is already a tradition of the Mexicans to celebrate this way. Many people join the parade and want to witness the reenactment of Jesus being crucified. These volunteers are many in this year, a lot of men are willing to make their cross for them to carry it and of course for them to be crucified on their cross.

But because of the pandemic and health risks, Mexico cancelled their 177-year-old crucifixion. It is because the government is scared to risk Mexicans to pursue this tradition. Many people are going to attend this event, and it is a high risk for them to be exposed to Coronavirus. There are about two million spectators who were disappointed by the cancellation, but it is understandable.

It is the first time that the event will not be happening according to the Iztapalapa borough president Clara Brugada. She said that the Passion of Christ or the crucifixion reenactment will be done indoors and will be symbolic. Also, she made sure that all the actors who are going to play are all their residents. Iztapalapa was known for its Passion of Christ tradition, like any other Catholic countries, the event includes huge processions, public reenactment with many casts, and celebrating Good Friday with ropes and ledges for the patrons to be safe.

Iztapalapa is famous for this kind of celebration. It shows how much they give importance to their belief and to what the Church preaches them. This celebration of the season goes generation to generation; that is why it has reached its 177th year. But because of the virus, then again Iztapalapa broke another record by cancelling it. But as soon as the pandemic began to vanish, the celebration will continue.