Christians unite for interfaith Good Friday procession through downtown Salt Lake City

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Participants walk to First Presbyterian Church during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Alex Bury carries the cross down 400 East to the Crossroads Urban Center during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Participants sing outside of the Cathedral of the Madeline during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Rev. Michael J. Imperiale, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, speaks at the Crossroads Urban Center during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
The Most Rev. Oscar Solis, Bishop, The Diocese of Salt Lake City, listens at the Crossroads Urban Center during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Local faith leaders and participants sing outside of the Cathedral of the Madeline during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
Vichen Lee, of Salt Lake City, carrie the cross from First Presbyterian Church during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune
John Salazar, front, and Alex Bury carry the cross from the Cathedral of the Madeline during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross.

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Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Participants walk to First Presbyterian Church during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Alex Bury carries the cross down 400 East to the Crossroads Urban Center during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Participants sing outside of the Cathedral of the Madeline during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Rev. Michael J. Imperiale, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, speaks at the Crossroads Urban Center during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune The Most Rev. Oscar Solis, Bishop, The Diocese of Salt Lake City, listens at the Crossroads Urban Center during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Local faith leaders and participants sing outside of the Cathedral of the Madeline during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Vichen Lee, of Salt Lake City, carrie the cross from First Presbyterian Church during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune John Salazar, front, and Alex Bury carry the cross from the Cathedral of the Madeline during the annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross Saturday, April 15, 2017. Since 1983, the Salt Lake Council of Churches has sponsored this annual procession, which is similar to the tradition of the "Via Dolorosa" (Way of Suffering), where pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus took to the cross.

The Salt Lake Tribune

· April 14, 2017 9:57 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Clergy and members of Christian denominations participated in the annual Good Friday procession through downtown Salt Lake City.

The event, highlighting Holy Week activities and culminating with Easter Sunday services, began on the steps of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple.

The procession, symbolically retracing Jesus' steps to the crucifixion, pressed on to the First Presbyterian Church at 12 N. C Street; Crossroads Urban Center, 347 S. 400 East; First United Methodist Church, 203 S. 200 East; and then concluded at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 231 E. 100 South.

The procession commemorating Christ's path to crucifixion has been a tradition of the Salt Lake Council of Churches since 1988.

Bob Mims