Evening star., 1919-04-20
DY EvANGELINE BEN.OLIEI.


pilgrims from all parts Of the world.
The short ceremony which takes
place in Jerusalem on Good Friday
differs from the Bavarian Passion Play
In that the impersonators are all
priests and monks and not trained
actors. The scenes take place not in
the open air among beautiful hills, but
in the ancient Church of the Holy Sep
ulchre, inclosed by high, thick walls
and among many altars for many
creeds. from which are waited fumes
Of fragrant incense. Another essential
difference Is that the witnesses Of the
play" are not merely spectators but
worshipers, chanting, praying, weep
ing with the actors.
The fact that they are reproducing
these incidents on the very spot where
the Crucifxion took place Is alone suf-
flcient cause for impressiveness and
solemnity
X X
There is something wonderfully
stirring about this strange perform
ance. Notwithstanding the crude way
in which it Is carried out, especially
in contrast to the artistic production
at Oberammergau, where the actors
live out the character of the part they
play all through their life. But one
cannot help being moved by the ear
nestness of these would-be actors in
the most solemn scenes and by the in
tense anguish felt by the witnesses
who are bowed down in alteration be-
fore this living portrayal of the most
sorrowful event in the worlds his
tory One cannot remain Indifferent as
a stole spectator when all around are
being uttered deep sobs and groans
by PROSTATE pilgrims who have made
great sacrifices for the privilege of
being in Jerusalem for this Easter
ceremony.
AS they gaze reverently at the en-
actment of every detail Of the Crucifx-
ion one could imagine they were in
reality looking upon the tragedy
which took place two thousand years
ago.
selves before the spectator in this
long ceremony are such as would de-
light An artist. Among the Worship
ers are men and women from every
cline and attired In a great variety
of costumes. Men with turbaned heads
and long boards, wearing flowing
robes of silk and satin, kneel beside
fair-haired Poles and Arabs Of the
desert in simple cotton shirts, who
stretch out their~tawny limbs on the
cold marble floor. Natives of Bethle-
hem. in heavy woolen abayehs or in
brilliant gowns Of red and blue, jostle
the dark-eyed Italians and oval-faced
Spaniards. The women of the city.
draped in long, white sheets and with
closely veiled faces. listen with interest
to the Arabic parts Of the service,
while around them hundreds Of stylish
Parisians repeat the Latin responses.
their quiet and simple dresses appear
ing a strange contrast to the gay col
ors and rich gilt trimmings of the
oriental garments.
The cerAmony Of the Nox Tenebrosa,
or the representation Of the crucihxion.
Is performed at 7 o'clock in tho even-
ing The service commences in tho
Chapel Of the Apparition. whore Jesus
appeared before Mary. The pilgrims
light their tapers and short discourse
in Latin by a priest at the altar opens
tho service. A thrilling strain Of
music Is heard resounding through the
building. 1t Is sung by the choir boys
in the subterranean chapel Of st.
Helena, where the cross was found.
Gradually the voices sound louder and
louder as the singers appear within
the church. As the choristers enter
the Chapel Of the ApparitionA q pro
cession IL formed and marches for
ward. led by a monk bearing aloft
large cross. The archbishop follows.
surrounded by bishops and priors In
velvet gowns and flowing cioaks en-
broidered with gold and wearing gilded
miters on their heads. Many Of the
dignitaries Of the church. in glittering
robes. Join the. procession, accom-
panied by priests and monks and CEN
ser and torch bearers. After them
come the laymen and tho pilgrims.
Every member Of the procession bears
a lighted taper.