The 182nd Representation of the Passion of Christ in Iztapalapa brought together over 1.4 million attendees this Good Friday, marking a significant moment in the annual Holy Week festivities. The event, which was held on April 18, 2025, not only showcased the spiritual devotion of participants but also the rich cultural heritage of the region.
According to Aleida Alavez, the mayor of Iztapalapa, "Today we counted approximately 1 million 400 thousand people; and to date, we have an accumulated total of more than 2 million people since Palm Sunday." This year’s representation continued the tradition of commemorating the Passion of Christ, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mexico City.
The day began early, with activities kicking off after 8:00 AM when the cast departed from the Casa de los Ensayos. A highlight of the event came around noon, when various biblical passages were staged in the Cuitláhuac Garden, located in the Macroplaza. These included significant moments such as the "Second Council in the house of Caiaphas," "Jesus Presented before Pilate," and "The Crown of Thorns," culminating shortly after 2:00 PM when Jesus received the Cross.
Participants flooded the streets to witness the Stations of the Cross, which symbolize the journey of Jesus toward Golgotha on the Cerro de la Estrella. From the very first stations, attendees experienced the emotional weight of the event, resulting in crowds, shoves, and minor altercations. At the first station, Jesus faced the mockery of Ciro, while the second featured a poignant meeting with his mother, Mary.
The 182nd Representation involved around 3,000 community actors and more than 4,000 Nazarenes, who traversed nearly 10 kilometers from the center of Iztapalapa to the Cerro de la Estrella. One participant, 27-year-old Julio Olivares Martínez, who played Jesus, carried a cross measuring 6.10 meters tall and weighing almost 100 kilograms, crafted by local artisan Ángel Juárez, who has been making these crosses since 1977. "The hardest part isn’t the cross itself, but what it represents. One cannot let down all these people," he remarked just before the procession began.
Among the many participants was Ramón Figueroa, who has been performing in the Stations of the Cross for decades. Dressed in a purple tunic and barefoot, he expressed his deep-rooted connection to the event, stating, "I’ve been doing this since I was six years old. It’s a family tradition and a way to thank God for helping me through an illness." Another participant, Samuel, shared his experience of carrying a 60-kilo cross, emphasizing that he has participated for three consecutive years as part of a promise for health and prosperity.
Estefanía, who is seven months pregnant, walked alongside her family, driven by faith and the hope for her baby's health. "This is the second year I’m doing this. I’m here to pray for my baby. Despite the heat and fatigue, I have faith," she said, embodying the spirit of devotion that characterizes the event.
The security measures in place were extensive, with 3,281 members of the Secretariat of Citizen Security deployed, along with 139 units, 31 motorcycle patrols, and three helicopters. Civil Protection set up hydration points and medical modules, where they attended to 350 cases of dehydration and heat stroke, according to the Mexican Red Cross.
Interestingly, there is a long-standing belief that it rains on Good Friday following the crucifixion of Jesus, as mentioned in various biblical texts. According to these scriptures, after Jesus said, "Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit," the sky darkened, and storms ensued. This belief has become part of the cultural narrative surrounding the event, although this year, the weather forecast predicted a warm day without rain in Mexico City, with only isolated showers expected in neighboring Edomex.
As the procession moved toward the Cerro de la Estrella, the emotional intensity peaked during the Crucifixion scene, where the Seven Words were pronounced—an annual highlight that draws significant attention and reverence from the crowd. The mayor, Aleida Alavez, emphasized the importance of this event, stating, "The Passion is not a spectacle; it is identity." This sentiment resonates deeply with attendees, who view the event as a vital expression of their faith and cultural heritage.
In the end, the 182nd Representation of the Passion of Christ in Iztapalapa not only served as a religious observance but also as a powerful demonstration of community spirit and cultural pride, bringing together people from all walks of life in a shared experience of faith and tradition. As the crowds dispersed, the echoes of the day lingered, reminding all of the significance of their shared journey.
