'Way of the Cross' brings drama of Crucifixion to Greensburg streets
“Way of the Cross”
Annual Good Friday drama in downtown Greensburg, Pa.
Moments after a squad of Roman soldiers and a man carrying a heavy wooden cross passed by the Westmoreland County Courthouse on Friday, traffic was flowing again and people were back inside their shops.
“Show's over,” one bystander said.
It was as if nothing had happened.
But for participants in the annual “Way of the Cross” drama, it was the only thing that mattered.
“I hope that this brings life to the Scriptures,” said Rick Zabrosky, who plays Jesus every year.
“For me, it makes you take a step back,” he said. “You read the Scriptures, but when you actually experience some of things they went through — we're not even close to what Jesus actually went through — it's just a feeling of honor that comes upon me. I'm glad to be a part of it.”
“It really does make my holiday,” said Sue Amatangelo, who played Mary, the mother of Jesus. “It hits home with me, and everything that I say and do comes from the heart. I can't imagine having a holiday season go by where I don't participate in this.”
More than 30 people played the part of biblical characters for Friday's “Way of the Cross” re-enactment. A group of hardy onlookers with umbrellas braved a steady drizzle and temperatures in the low 40s.
Greensburg police closed downtown streets as the procession made its way from the courthouse, past The Palace Theatre on West Otterman Street, and on to the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library on South Pennsylvania Avenue.
The drama, which covers everything from Christ's sentencing by Pontius Pilate to his Crucifixion, ended at First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Main St., where a service was held afterward.
“For me to be Mary is not an act,” Amatangelo said. “Whenever this play starts, it's almost like I become Mary. I become very emotional.”
Although the Crucifixion was not shown, Jesus was heard to say from inside the church narthex, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The annual Good Friday event, sponsored by the Greensburg Ministerium, almost didn't happen this year.
“Half our cast were not able to be in it this year. We had a lot of new people come in and step up ... and everything seemed to come together,” Zabrosky said.
“It's such a big honor to do this for the community and for the churches. You see the emotions of the people and what it actually means to people,” he said.
Stephen Huba is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-1280, shuba@tribweb.com or via Twitter @shuba_trib.
