Video: Group Carries Cross Through Downtown Starkville

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Easter Sunday is only two days away but it’s not all about the egg hunts and family cookouts.
Christians in Starkville spent their Good Friday carrying a cross through downtown, telling the story of why Easter Sunday is celebrated.
It isn’t the normal scene in downtown Starkville on a busy Friday.

Around 100 Christians, of various denominations, came together to share the story of Jesus’ last days on Earth.

14 stops were along the route, with pastors and church leaders taking turns carrying the wooden cross.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ picks up His cross and continues and dies on the cross to go through the pain, through the suffering but I believe that is what also gives, not only the hope, but help us to see that behind that suffering, behind that cross, there is life, ” said Father Vargas, Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

The Stations of the Cross began with telling the story of Jesus in Gethsemane and follows through to his burial.

A dozen churches participated and it’s that sense of unity that brings so many together.

“Because so many times we focus on our differences in our faith and it kind of separates us but the one thing we have in common is the most important thing and that’s Jesus and to see everybody coming together to celebrate that is just the best thing for me,” said Amelia Sierra.

“All the differences just disappear. We’re just here to remind ourselves what we believe in, what Jesus has done for us, what God has done for us,” said Paolo Castelo.

Father Vargas says it’s important to celebrate what Easter is really all about.

“More than just the great lunch, that we get together with family, the great events that we might plan, recognizing that my God indeed gives His life for me and each one of us is worth it indeed,” said Father Vargas.

Stations of the Cross is an annual event in Starkville.