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The week of repentance

Agencies Published March 29, 2013
Penitents self-flagellate as they participate in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Manila. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, Asia's largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.
Penitents self-flagellate as they participate in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Manila. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, Asia's largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.
An Indian Christian prays at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Good Friday in Hyderabad, India.
An Indian Christian prays at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Good Friday in Hyderabad, India.
A penitent is nailed to the cross during the reenactment of crucifixion on Good Friday in the village of San Juan, San Fernando City, north of Manila. Catholic zealots in the Philippines re-enacted the last hours of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, whipping their backs and nailing themselves to crosses in a grisly Easter ritual that persists despite Church disapproval.
A penitent is nailed to the cross during the reenactment of crucifixion on Good Friday in the village of San Juan, San Fernando City, north of Manila. Catholic zealots in the Philippines re-enacted the last hours of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, whipping their backs and nailing themselves to crosses in a grisly Easter ritual that persists despite Church disapproval.
David Carnell, center, plays the part of Jesus Christ during a
David Carnell, center, plays the part of Jesus Christ during a
A member of the Brotherhood of El Nazareno prepares to participate in the 'Jesus of Nazareth' procession in the indigenous town of Izalco.
A member of the Brotherhood of El Nazareno prepares to participate in the 'Jesus of Nazareth' procession in the indigenous town of Izalco.
Indian Catholics re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during a 'passion play' tableau at the Sacred Heart Church in Hyderabad's twin city of Secunderabad.
Indian Catholics re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during a 'passion play' tableau at the Sacred Heart Church in Hyderabad's twin city of Secunderabad.
Actors take part in a
Actors take part in a
Actors take part in a
Actors take part in a
View of a sawdust carpet with the image of Jesus on Holy Thursday in Tegucigalpa.
View of a sawdust carpet with the image of Jesus on Holy Thursday in Tegucigalpa.
A group of men play the
A group of men play the
The Virgin of the
The Virgin of the
Kawases in traditional Ottoman outfits lead a procession of Roman Catholic clergymen along Jerusalem's Old City streets during Holy Thursday. Christians traditionally believe the church is built on the site where Jesus was crucified and buried.
Kawases in traditional Ottoman outfits lead a procession of Roman Catholic clergymen along Jerusalem's Old City streets during Holy Thursday. Christians traditionally believe the church is built on the site where Jesus was crucified and buried.
Pilgrims walk behind the
Pilgrims walk behind the
Boys watch penitents of the 'Las Cigarreras' brotherhood taking part in a procession during the Holy Week in Sevilla.
Boys watch penitents of the 'Las Cigarreras' brotherhood taking part in a procession during the Holy Week in Sevilla.
This handout picture released by the Vatican press office shows Pope Francis kissing the feet of a young offender after washing them during a mass at the church of the Casal del Marmo youth prison on the outskirts of Rome as part of Holy Thursday. Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 young offenders including two girls at a Rome prison on Thursday in an unprecedented version of an ancient Easter ritual seen as part of an effort by the new pope to bring the Catholic Church closer to the needy.
This handout picture released by the Vatican press office shows Pope Francis kissing the feet of a young offender after washing them during a mass at the church of the Casal del Marmo youth prison on the outskirts of Rome as part of Holy Thursday. Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 young offenders including two girls at a Rome prison on Thursday in an unprecedented version of an ancient Easter ritual seen as part of an effort by the new pope to bring the Catholic Church closer to the needy.
A full moon rises behind a cross on top of Saint Nicholas Catholic Church in the Heights neighborhood of Jersey City.
A full moon rises behind a cross on top of Saint Nicholas Catholic Church in the Heights neighborhood of Jersey City.
Believers hold torches as hooded men known as
Believers hold torches as hooded men known as
A girl prays at the foot of a shrine on the hill leading up to Laferla Cross outside the village of Siggiewi, southwest of Valletta. Every year on Maundy Thursday, thousands of religious devotees on the staunchly Catholic island make their way up the hill, the highest point on the Maltese islands, on a Seven Churches Visitation pilgrimage. Several Easter processions take place around Malta between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, drawing thousands of visitors.
A girl prays at the foot of a shrine on the hill leading up to Laferla Cross outside the village of Siggiewi, southwest of Valletta. Every year on Maundy Thursday, thousands of religious devotees on the staunchly Catholic island make their way up the hill, the highest point on the Maltese islands, on a Seven Churches Visitation pilgrimage. Several Easter processions take place around Malta between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, drawing thousands of visitors.
Actor Mario Valencia, portraying Jesus Christ, is submerged in the water during a baptism ceremony as part of Catholic Holy Week celebrations at the Rimac river in Lima.
Actor Mario Valencia, portraying Jesus Christ, is submerged in the water during a baptism ceremony as part of Catholic Holy Week celebrations at the Rimac river in Lima.
A Pakistani girl looks back during a mass at a church in a Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan.
A Pakistani girl looks back during a mass at a church in a Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Christians around the world are marking the Easter holy week with processions, prayers and most of all, repentance. The holy week, in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is celebrated in many Christian traditions during the week before Easter. —Photos and texts by Agencies

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