More than a million people attend the Viacrucis of Iztapalapa

Mexico City. At his most vulnerable and powerful moment, Jesus of Nazareth died while clouds covered the sun, as tradition dictates. The memorable scene was part of the representation of the Via Crucis in its 181st edition, which took place this Friday in Iztapalapa.

The day of activities on the occasion of Holy Week in this mayor’s office generated an estimated economic impact of more than 220 million pesos, according to local authorities. Around one million 385 thousand people attended this day, reported Raúl Basulto Luviano, head of the Iztapalapa office.

He explained that from Palm Sunday until Good Friday, a total of two million 385 thousand people attended the staging in the eight neighborhoods. Adding all the representations in the different colonies and towns of that district, the figure rises to 2 million 473 thousand attendees.

Photo Yazmin Ortega

Hundreds of wooden crosses walked through the streets and crowds were part of this tradition that each year reaffirms the Iztapalapan identity.

Entire families appreciated the Stations of the Cross sitting on the edge of their rooftops and balconies, while others opened their windows to take part in the celebration. Some children shouted at him: “Treacherous, miserable, asshole!” to Judas Iscariot, played by Israel Domingo Flores, when the apostle threw chocolate gold coins into the audience, as if that gesture were going to forgive him for the betrayal committed the day before against Jesus.

Emotions changed drastically when Jesus, represented by Cristopher Gómez Hernández, began his journey towards the Cerro de la Estrella, after being tried by Pontius Pilate, destined to die by crucifixion.

Photo Yazmin Ortega

This year’s cast was made up of 136 actors, 275 in the internal teams, more than 500 extras, 2,500 Nazarenes, and 105 music members.

On this occasion, more than 3 thousand elements from the Secretariats of Citizen Security, National Defense, National Guard, and the Attorney General’s Office of Mexico City were deployed, who reported a white balance.

Some of the roads evoked those biblical times thanks to the costumes of Romans, Nazarenes, Hebrews, shepherds, among other characters, in addition to the aroma of a stable.

In the streets of Iztapalapa, Holy Week brings with it a unique metamorphosis. The houses, previously simple dwellings, were transformed into living settings, decorated with care and devotion by their inhabitants. Every detail tells a story of fervor, mysticism or tradition rooted in the heart of this community.

Before reaching the Cerro de la Estrella, transformed into Golgotha, the Good Friday day began at 8 in the morning with a group of Nazarenes who made a seven-kilometer tour through the cobblestone streets of the neighborhoods of San Lucas, San Pablo, San Pedro, San José, Asunción, Santa Bárbara, San Ignacio and San Miguel.

Photo Pablo Ramos

The Nazarenes, barefoot and dressed in purple tunics and white tablecloths, carrying crosses of different weights, were watched by spectators with respect and admiration, encouraged with words of encouragement, and neighbors offered them water and oranges.

Visibly tired, a Nazarene carrying a huge 90 kilo cross suffered burns on his feet due to the hot asphalt. Israel Santeliz Hernández (real name of the interpreter) fulfilled his command for several years, but he continues to participate in the Stations of the Cross because “the most fabulous miracle in the world” was fulfilled for him: the pregnancy of his wife.

“Each one chooses the weight of the cross according to his command or his sins. They usually criticize us for our way of speaking (cantadito) or for not being professional actors, but what they don’t know is that we are helpful people who keep their culture and tradition alive. In the end, we went from being Iztapalacra to being the New Jerusalem.”

In 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will report whether the Holy Week Representation in Iztapalapa will be part of its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.