Ruben Enaje
Ruben Enaje is a Filipino carpenter, sign painter,[1] and former construction worker. He is noted for being crucified 33 times as of 2019.[2][3]
Ruben Enaje | |
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Born | San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines |
Nationality | Filipino |
Occupation | Carpenter, Construction worker |
Known for | Being voluntarily crucified annually on Good Friday |
He has been crucified every year since 1985 on Good Friday.
Background
Enaje, who was once a construction worker in the Philippines, fell down from an unfinished building, and unexpectedly survived.[4] After the incident, saying that it was to thank the Lord for saving him, Enaje started participating in crucifixions, of his own free will, in a ritual done on Good Friday every year.[5] His crucifixions have led to media coverage.
Timeline
1985
Enaje was crucified for his first time in 1985, during a reenactment of Jesus Christ of Nazareth's suffering.
2008
On March 21, 2008, Enaje, was nailed to a wooden cross on Good Friday for the 22nd time, in Pampanga, Philippines.[6] 25 other penitents, including two women, were nailed on wooden crosses on Good Friday in San Pedro Cutud.[7][8]
2010
Enaje was crucified again in his hometown, Pampanga, Philippines, this time for the 24th time, breaking his own record.[9]
2011
Like the years before, Enaje had four-inch nails hammered into his palms and was hung on a cross for several minutes by local villagers dressed as Roman centurions.[1]
2012
2012's crucifixion was the 26th one for Enaje.[10]
2013
2013 was his possible final year in which he plans to be crucified, since he promised God that he would be crucified 27 times as a form of gratitude.[11]
2016
Still without any permanent replacement, Enaje once again was crucified, along with 14 others in different places in Pampanga. He spent 11 minutes on the cross.[2] Enaje offered his 30th straight crucifixion to the people of Belgium, who had recently suffered from a terrorist attack, and praying for a more peaceful outcome of the 2016 Philippine general election.[12]
2018
For his 32nd straight year playing the role of Jesus Christ, Enaje was crucified again, together with three devotees who took part in this year's re-enactment of the death of Jesus Christ.[3] He was not experiencing pain during the time when he was nailed to the cross.
2019
After being crucified once again in 2019, Enaje re-iterated his hopes to finally find a replacement, having now been crucified once a year for 33 years (the same number of years that Jesus was alive).[13]
See also
References
- Jaime Uribarri (April 22, 2011). "Christians in Philippines celebrate Good Friday by recreating crucifixion of Jesus". Retrieved June 17, 2012.
- Orejas, Tonette (March 25, 2016). "15 crucified on Good Friday in Pampanga". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- "No more pain for Philippine devotee nailed to cross for 32nd time". Reuters. March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- Crucifixion re-enactment is annual Good Friday rite in Philippines AP. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
- Hodari. "Suffered 22 times more than Jesus ever did". Oddee.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
- Alquinto, Michael. "In photos: 'Holy Week Good Friday'". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
- sunstar.com.p, 25 to be 'crucified' on SF Good Friday rites
- Abs-Cbn Interactive, Pampanga carpenter to be nailed to cross for 22nd time
- AP (April 2, 2010). "To mark Good Friday, Filipino devotees are nailed to crosses". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
- SEE IT: Fervent Filipino Catholics nailed to crosses for Good Friday New York Daily News. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
- "Only one more year to go for Ruben Enaje with his real crucifixions". Demotix. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
- "Filipino nailed to cross prays for Belgium, PH". Manila Bulletin. March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- "Every year a Filipino man marks Good Friday with an actual crucifixion. He just did it for the 33rd time". CNN. March 25, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
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