Helsinki, Finland

A Frigid-Scholarly Via Crucis


The Crucifixion in Helsinki
The last scene from the Via Crucis depicted at the top of the steps of the Cathedral of Helsinki.
illuminated Helsinki
View of Helsinki's historic and waterfront at nightfall.
on the way to calvary
Actor representing Jesus Christ carries the cross to the top of the Cathedral of Helsinki, under the spotlight.
On the scene
Lighting highlights actors from Via Crucis at the top of the stairs.
Helsinki Cathedral
Passersby pass by the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral in Helsinki.
hand wash
Christ, along with one of the thieves, is sentenced to death by Pilate at the penultimate station of the Via Crucis in Helsinki.
icy contemplation
Ferry passengers look out over Helsinki's historic seafront on yet another frigid day.
cross of Christ
Character of Christ carries out one of the last scenes of the Via Crucis in Helsinki.
Supreme Temple
Helsinki Cathedral, highlighted above the houses on the edge of the Finnish capital's dock.
Crucial Support
An assistant to the representation of the Via Crucis transports the cross of Christ to the top of the cathedral's steps.
the other cross
One of the thieves crucified by the Romans beside Jesus Christ hanging on his cross, at the top of the steps of the cathedral of Helsinki.
Electric route
Tram runs along a street in the center of Helsinki, after passing in front of the cathedral in the Finnish capital.
Lutheran Twin Towers
Johannes Church, one of the most emblematic Lutheran temples in Helsinki.
When Holy Week arrives, Helsinki shows its belief. Despite the freezing cold, little dressed actors star in a sophisticated re-enactment of Via Crucis through streets full of spectators.

We leave Porvoo in the middle of the afternoon, heading towards Helsinki. The next day, the capital dawns gray and snowy. We explore it for hours on end under inclement weather until, closer to nightfall, the clouds break up and a rewarding calm sets in.

We install ourselves on a structural overhang on the Baltic Sea, next to the international ferry dock. From there, we watch the long boreal sunset and artificial lighting highlighting the Cathedral of Helsinki over the submissive historic houses.

illuminated Helsinki

View of Helsinki's historic and waterfront at nightfall.

As soon as the sky darkens, we walk into the city in search of the starting station of its 17th representation of the Way of the cross, about to be carried out by the Cathedral Congregation of Helsinki and by Ristin Tien Tuki ry, an ecumenical association in charge of ensuring the event.

The Believing Crowd Fighting for the Best Places in the City

We find it on a hillside on the edge of Kaisaniemen Park devoid of foliage, covered with a good height of snow and invaded by a warm and enthusiastic public. The crowd vie for the best places to follow Christ's trials among an extensive cast of citizens of a Jerusalem Finno-Roman hostile to their beliefs and preaching, and more frigid than ever.

hand wash

Christ, along with one of the thieves, is sentenced to death by Pilate at the penultimate station of the Via Crucis in Helsinki.

Jesus is held by a little centurion squad and ushered in the presence of Pontius Pilate, followed by a procession of historical extras advancing along Unionkatu and Yrjö-Koskisen Katu avenues by candlelight.

The representation continues, elegant and grandiose, at the top of the stairs of the Säätytalo (The House of States) adapted to the palace of the Roman governor, where the Jewish people ended up opting for the release of the insurgent prisoner Barabbas, thus condemning Christ to the Crucifixion.

The Pompous Reenactment in front of the Cathedral of Helsinki

The procession of actors, extras, and the audience then moves to the vicinity of the Cathedral where many more spectators await the action.

There, Christ conquers a new staircase, this time with his heavy cross on his shoulder, in a painful climb that a round focus accompanies and highlights, facilitated by our contemporary assistant that the directors added without any complex.

on the way to calvary

Actor representing Jesus Christ carries the cross to the top of the Cathedral of Helsinki, under the spotlight.

Among the speeches and dramatic cries of biblical characters, excerpts of lyrical songs combined with violins and other instruments, Christ and the robbers find the Calvary in front of the towering façade of the temple.

After death, the Redeemer descends from the cross by his own foot, the staircase enters the shadows and is climbed by dozens of actors and extras who hold candles and torches in the ultimate multi-sensory moment of a religious spectacle.

The Crucifixion in Helsinki

Last scene from the Via Crucis depicted at the top of the steps of the Cathedral of Helsinki

They retreat to their homes or to Helsinki's countless profane and nocturnal refuges.

In terms of the calendar, however, Holy Week gave way to Easter. It was time to find out the pagan side of the time. in Seurasaari.

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Shows

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Marinduque, Philippines

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Meal
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XXL Pacific

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Culture
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Sport
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Traveling
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Conversation between photocopies, Inari, Babel Parliament of the Sami Lapland Nation, Finland
Ethnic
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The Babel Parliament of the Sami Nation

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portfolio, Got2Globe, Travel photography, images, best photographs, travel photos, world, Earth
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History
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Islands
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Era Susi towed by dog, Oulanka, Finland
Winter White
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Literature
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Nature
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Mother Armenia Statue, Yerevan, Armenia
Autumn
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Natural Parks
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UNESCO World Heritage
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Characters
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Vietnamese queue
Beaches

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Religion
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On Rails
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Society
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Fruit sellers, Swarm, Mozambique
Daily life
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Mozambican Fashion Service Area

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Wildlife
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Scenic Flights
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