CV NEWS FEED // The city of Cincinnati, Ohio has the longest, continually running Passion play in the United States.
According to its website, The St John’s Passion play was established by Fr Richard Wurth, a Franciscan pastor at St John the Baptist Church, in February, 1917, following the deaths of eight local men during World War I.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of these eight young men,” Fr Wurth was moved to produce a Passion Play in order to “merit a special protection of God for others serving in active duty.”
Wurth allegedly remembered the story of wood carving peasants living in the Bavarian Alps who had escaped the Black Death in the 17th century by “vowing to Produce a Passion Play every ten years in thanksgiving.”
After the first year of the Passion Play, during which no casualties were reported, Wurth vowed to produce the play annually. “Since that time, that promise has not been broken,” the website claims.
The play has continued since, despite the closure of St John the Baptist Church in 1969. The St John Passion Play is now a charitable nonprofit corporation which puts on performances every year in churches and auditoriums throughout the city.
“The cast and crew of the St. John Passion Play come from all walks of life and denominational affiliations,” the website states, adding:
All of us share a common bond and purpose which is to bring scripture alive in a dramatic and moving way, to fully realize the promise of John 3:16. We are honored and privileged to continue this unique ministry and Cincinnati Lenten tradition.
This year’s rendering of St John’s Passion, which has been in production since September of last year, will take place late next month.
For more information regarding showtimes and tickets, click here.
