Five days before Holy Week in the city of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, in the Chiapas Highlands region, preparations continue for the reenactment of the Stations of the Cross, which will take place on various city streets. Ciro Mazariegos, head of the Board of the Brotherhood of the Assumption in the Barrio de Mexicanos neighborhood, reported that the event will feature actors with experience from previous years, who are practically ready to take to the streets.
In an interview, Ciro Mazariegos, founder and current president of the Festival Committee and member of the Brotherhood of the Assumption, along with Héctor Alfonso Cantoral Estrada—who will portray Jesus—indicated that more than 60 actors and actresses will participate in the reenactment of different scenes, especially the Last Supper and the traditional Stations of the Cross, which will take place on Good Friday. The procession will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the neighborhood plaza and will conclude at the same location in the afternoon.
The organizer thanked the volunteers for their support and enthusiasm at each rehearsal. He explained that, from Monday to Friday starting at 7:00 p.m., the participants continue preparing in the sacristy of the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in the Barrio de Mexicanos neighborhood, with the goal of achieving an orderly presentation.
For his part, Héctor Alfonso Cantoral Estrada, who will portray Jesus, indicated that he will carry a 70-kilogram cross for approximately five hours while walking through the city streets. He noted that he has participated in the brotherhood for over 18 years and that the cross is made of pine wood. He also urged the public to respect the metal barriers that will be placed to protect the attendees.
“I’m 29 years old and have been participating for 18 years; as Jesus, I’ve been doing it for three consecutive years. The cross weighs 70 kilos. To cover expenses, the participants go out collecting donations in the streets and markets of San Cristóbal to raise funds; we ask for the support of the community,” said Cantoral Estrada.
Finally, they reported that the Good Friday Stations of the Cross procession will depart from the plaza in the Barrio de Mexicanos neighborhood and will proceed along 16 de Septiembre, Crescencio Rosas, Niños Héroes, Avenida Insurgentes, and General Utrilla streets, returning to the starting point around 3:00 p.m. Therefore, motorists are urged to use alternate routes and avoid driving through the historic center, while security and Civil Protection personnel will provide support to the thousands of attendees expected at the event.
Source: oem
