Good Friday rituals around the globe
Catholic zealots in the Philippines re-enacted the last hours of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, whipping their backs and nailing themselves to crosses in a grisly Easter ritual that persists despite Church disapproval.
More than 50 people, young and old, celebrated Easter by crossing the tidal causeway during the annual Christian pilgrimage. Every year people of all ages, from all over the world and from all realms of Christian life walk together at Easter to Holy Island.
Catholics make up approximately 3 percent of the population of the predominantly Muslim country.
Empalaos make the steps of the "Via Crucis," marking the Stations of the Cross, during the night of Maundy Thursday while bound by rope to a crucifix as an act of penance and to honor a promise made to the Empalaos Brotherhood and the Christ of Vera Cruz, in the town of Valverde de la Vera.
The "Misteri" floats, depicting scenes from the Bible, are carried in the streets during the annual procession which started in 1627.