Many traditions include self-flagellation or even re-enacting the crucifixion to emulate the suffering of Jesus Christ.
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Christians around the world observed Good Friday with processions commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus.
The Holy Week tradition is dedicated to the suffering of Jesus as he carried the cross for his crucifixion.
In Mexico, Catholics in the town of Taxco held an overnight procession, carrying crosses and flagellating themselves in a rite of sacrifice and atonement for their sins.
In a tradition dating back to 1622, the "encruzados" (the crucified) carried large bundles of thorny branches tied to their shoulders while wearing masks to stay anonymous
They bore the heavy bundles as they walked barefoot to emulate the suffering of Jesus Christ carrying the cross.
The flagellants use a kind of whip made of a rope and nails called "disciplina" (discipline).
Masked women, known as "encorvadas" (hunchbacks), walked barefoot through the cobblestone streets, dragging chains and carrying crosses.
Christians in Jerusalem carried large wooden crosses and recited prayers as they marked Good Friday.
Worshippers walked along the Via Dolorosa, a cobblestone path that cuts through the limestone-walled Old City, where tradition says Jesus took his final steps as he carried the cross to his crucifixion.
In the Philippines, a decades-old tradition in the province of Pampanga sees the re-enactment of the crucifixion itself.
The gory spectacle attracts huge crowds from around the world each year during Holy Week, despite such re-enactments being frowned upon by church leaders.
On Friday, over a hundred people watched on as couple of devotees were nailed to wooden crosses.
It has turned Ruben Enaje into a village celebrity for his role as the "Christ" in the Lenten re-enactment of the Way of the Cross. The 64-year-old was the main actor playing the role of Jesus, nailed to the cross on Friday.
This year is his 36th time being nailed to a cross, although Enaje said in a press conference that he will be retiring.
"I am old already, our bodies are like plants that are drying up, so I decided to stop already," he said.
Among the crowd of tourists was 50-year-old David Harper, a British national.
"This is unique, it's possibly crazy," he said. "It's very hardcore I never seen anything like it in my life, it's great fun but mad."
In the Spanish village of Calanda, over one thousand people gathered around the local church with drums, where they will produce rhythms that last 26 hours without pauses, beginning at noon on Good Friday.
The "rompida de la hora" (break of the hour) act represents the roar that was heard on Earth after the death of Jesus Christ.
Holy Week will culminate on Sunday with Easter celebrations.