Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – A group of local citizens took the message of Easter to the streets on Good Friday in the form of an old rugged cross.
About 17 people gathered at the Pickaway County Courthouse for the “Procession of the Cross” event sponsored by the Pickaway County Ministerial Association. The group carried the large cross from the courthouse to Memorial Hall, stopping along the route to read Scripture from all four gospels related to the crucifixion of Jesus.
This is the second year for the procession held on Good Friday of Holy Week, according to Rev. Troy S. Braswell, president of PCMA and organizer for the event. It was an idea from his prior ministerial association in Bessemer City, North Carolina, he said, that he brought with him to Circleville.
“There are several things we hope it accomplishes,” Braswell said. “First, it is a commemoration of Jesus’ passion story, a reminder for Christians that the story of faith is foremost about sacrifice. Second, as an ecumenical event, it reminds us of something all Christians share in common. Third, doing this publicly, we hope to inspire thought and reflection.”
For Braswell personally, he said he hopes it is also a reminder that there is no room for arrogance or violence from anyone who follows this One.
“It’s about compassion and love, not law and doctrine,” Braswell said. “Those things are important as part of the story, but they are not what it is about.”
Friday’s procession ended at Memorial Hall, where the cross will remain on display through Easter Sunday.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
