If you were to venture down to Westgate street and the Cathedral one Sunday afternoon in Lent, you would see various members of Gloucester’s churches in rehearsal for a Passion Play. We are staging ‘The Way of the Cross’, Jesus’ last few hours from sentencing to crucifixion to be played out in the streets on the morning of Good Friday.

The events of Good Friday did not take place behind closed doors, inside a building. They happened on the streets and it is important that we bear witness to this. In a world where Christians are increasingly persecuted for their faith, the brutal, stark, immediacy of Jesus’ final journey to Calvary is something we need to be reminded of and remind people about. Before we reach the eggs and chocolate and bunnies, there is blood, pain, sacrifice, suffering but most importantly, love.

Good Friday is also about encounter. Jesus had all sorts of encounters on his way to the place of Crucifixion, good, bad, violent and heart rending, just as we have in our own lives and we can learn from his meetings with Pilate, the Roman soldiers, his mother, Simon of Cyrene and John.

This is going to be a powerful piece of theatre, both to participate in and watch. You will be part of the crowd. The cast will be among you as you move from station to station. All are welcome to come and watch it. To support your community, to walk with Jesus on his last and lonely frightful journey, to make this an essential part of your Good Friday observance.

The play will begin at the Cathedral at 10.30am. This event is being held in partnership with Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester City Deanery & Churches Together in Gloucester.