Devotees nailed to crosses in Good Friday rites

Hundreds of Christian devotees took part in Jesus - Way to the Cross procession during which a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ was played to mark Good Friday in Santacruz, Mumbai. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Christians observe the day not just as a historical event but the supreme sacrifice Christ on the cross to redeem mankind of their sins. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Churchs across Mumbai held Good Friday sermons which reflected the community's concerns over the spate of attacks of churchs in the country and the rape of a nun in Kolkata. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

On this day some 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross at Mount Calvary. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Churches observe Good Friday with a submissive service in which Christ's death is remembered. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

A Christian devotee enacts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to mark Good Friday at Sacred Heart Church in Hyderabad. (Source: AP photo)

At Sacred Heart Church in Hyderabad, special prayers took place and the faithful observed fasts as a way of renunciation of earthly comforts. (Source: AP photo)

Christian devotees enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to mark Good Friday, in Guwahati, Friday, April 3, 2015. (Source: AP photo)

Good Friday, marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was observed at Sacred Heart Church in Hyderabad. (Source: AP photo)

A devotee kisses the feet of a clay model of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, in Kolkata. (Source: AP photo)

A Filipino penitent grimaces as he is nailed to the cross during Good Friday rituals on April 3, 2015 at Cutud, Pampanga province, northern Philippines. (Source: AP photo)

Several Filipino devotees had themselves nailed to crosses Friday to remember Jesus Christ's suffering and death. (Source: AP photo)

It is an annual rite frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. (Source: AP photo)

Filipinos watch as a penitent is nailed to the cross during Good Friday rituals Friday, April 3, 2015 at Cutud, Pampanga province, northern Philippines. (Source: AP photo)

The feet of a Filipino penitent is nailed to a wooden cross during Good Friday rituals on April 3, 2015 at Cutud, Pampanga province, northern Philippines. (Source: AP photo)

The reenactment of Christ's crucifixion at a dusty mound in San Pedro Cutud village drew at least 4,000 spectators and tourists, dozens of them foreigners. (Source: AP photo)

Hooded Filipino penitents flagellate during Good Friday rituals to atone for sins on Friday, April 3, 2015 in Pampanga province, northern Philippines. (Source: AP photo)

A hooded Filipino penitent plays with his son after his flaggelation during Good Friday rituals to atone for sins on April 3, 2015 in Pampanga province, northern Philippines. (Source: AP photo)