The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-02
PASSION PLAY IN MEXICO.
CHRIST REPRESENTED ny AN
IMAGE, JOINTED TO DO r PART.

Tho Procession OF Romnn soidlers and jewish
Priests-Tho Tcxt Of tho Death sentence-
Tho Play interrupted by n showcr-Car-
rSinE tho body OF Christ 10 the Toinb.
From the Merfcan Herald.
The version OF the Passion Play as witnessed
yesterday at Coyoacan was somewhat marrod
by the rain that came on in the afternoon, which
nccessitatod tho crucifxion being held inside
the church instead of on tho artificial Calvary
in tho churchyard, but the preliminary process
sion took place as usual In tho open air.
The character o. this procession is we'll known
to all old.timo residents of Mexico. An image
OF the Saviour, dressed In q purple velvet robo,
crowned with thorns, and bearing His cross, 10
carried on a platform round the churchyardS
surrounded by Roman soldiers. Jewish priests,
and crowds OF tho faithful bearing lights. On
tho same platform, with tho Saviour arc
tho Cyrenian. n part taken yesterday by
u young boy, Cruz Rivas. dressed in crinl-
son and white, and three little girls represent
ing angels, dressed in white muslin with sill
yer gossamer wings. They held handkerchief
to one eye, as II g~ricving over the sorrows of tho
Rcdeemer, while with the other they calmly sur
veyed tho crowd. In front of the procession
walked two bands, the first performing the
monotonous music Of the indigenous race, con.
sisting only Of the beating of the drum and the
piping Of the chirimia, tho second rendering
modern selections in excellent style. Only these
selections We're somewhat homogeneous, such az
During the procession the three falls of the
Saviour are represented. 1t Is a tradition
among Catholics that Jesus fell three times
under the heavy weight OF His cross on His way
hinges. so as to fall forward when desired. All
this time q sermon was being preached yester-
images halted near the pulpit. which was placed
under an outrageous ash tree. he addressed the
s sHvio %l,b or hi His m swols ~ Th ,,I was , dressed dim in P %nr
breast. in the most earnest and pathetic terms.
The churchyard of Coyoacan Is well shaded
DER them. made. with the entire setting, the ven.
cradle and wcathcr-stained old church building
dresses OF the Roman soldiers were of purple.
ssied. and they wore FURNISHED helmets with
enormous plumes Of the brightest colors. Tho
seous vestments with horned mitres, and over
the procession waved flags Of black, orange.
these components may be, taken singly. they
made an effective scene taken altogether.
co Moasm P PSsaeGof Pl aS f II SsEsa ye @no a sa% thus bnS
notices this general harmony Of effects: =
Everything looked gaudy when near. but as
arches and through the green lanes, and tho
music came fainter upon the ear. and the beat
m nc chant We're all blended into one fainS
and distant, harmony, the effect was beautiful.
= si sermon nor with theiT bssstp sahnday gowns on. and
merits Of their ministers discourse; and won
dered at the contrasts in the same religion
two long lines in front Of the pulpit, and the
crier, Manuel Riyas. on horseback. careered
tss sentence w and asa fGlTaF Christ ahnn as Times f0 his
to bolt, his words were almost lost in his efforts
Apolonio Rivas. the manager Of the repre-
nngaft ~ nnn n n fhn rnnGf GnhQ 4 9
sentence ssn's Ss c % 'Ss H t,9f5iy s spTese int ifTs OF The fRs
fS,IGTiinfP iI Is ,h Pre aIdeSia Of Lover SF a G piiiElt; and
Governor under the Roman Emperor, do judge
man and an enemy Of the mighty Emperor IT.
berius Caesar. And ! determine that his death
the manner customary with criminals. For.
gathering round him many men. both rich
s ,brd poor; he t has M nPt eea Of J 10 provo oSec damdlse
Himself the Son OF God and King Of Israel, and
g geSIp9nsiinns 81 sh tho do TempIe OF of }eIosa5em { no oqa shs
that the first centurion. Quintus Cornelius. shall
lead him through the streets Of Jerusalem to DO
scourged he shall be dressed in mock state so as
to be known BY all, and the cross TO which he 10
And he shall walk thrclgh the most fire.
Suented streets between Two thieves, who
h as an example 10 malefactors. he shall j.
s sqs fFU %hd 5s Shall An pT % sa ali R Rfs misdee eS "a d R%dp ono
arriving at the hill of Calvary. where cvil-doers
and other miscreants receive their need, he
shall be nailed to the cross. and over. his head
shall be placed an inscription In the languages
most widely spoken, viz. Latin. Greek. and
Hebrew, saying Jesus OF Nazareth. King Of the
Jews"
After Manuel Rivas had vociferatcd this sem
tence be handed it to the priest in tho pulpit,
who, as in Madam Calderon's day, received 10
with a look OF horror, tried to read 1t and threw
1t on the ground with an air of Indignation"
Owing to the shower that came on very soon
after, the crucifxion, the casting of lots for the
seamless coat and other incidents Of the Passion
Play were represented inside the church. Each
episode as il passed before the eyes OF the people
was explained by Father Avila. who occupied
the pulpit. When the figure OF. Christ was
taken down from the cross IL had grown quite
dark and the procession OF people carrying can-
dies and accompanying the body TO the tomb
made the most picturesque feature Of the entire
remon especially as seen from a distance.