STROUDSBURG -- Hundreds of Christians gathered along the streets of Stroudsburg to observe Good Friday.
Walking solemnly and silently out of St. John's Lutheran Church in Stroudsburg, these Christians began observing Good Friday by following the steps that led to Christ's death on the cross.
"It is a special time in the life of Christians where we celebrate God`s love for us is poured out on the cross," said Rev. Carol Brown, a retired pastor for the First Presbyterian Church.
The Walk of Christ takes these faithful to several different churches in Stroudsburg.
And at each stop, they pray one of the Stations of the Cross.
Many came with their families on a day off from work or school.
"Coming to church and remembering what it`s all about, why we don`t have school. It`s not just spring break, it`s about our Lord," said Maria Sagheddu of Mount Pocono.
17-year-old Matthew Faherty carried the cross about a block. He says each step was a challenge.
"It`s heavy. It`s quite a burden and what he went through for all of us, it`s really kind of a changing experience going through something like that," said Faherty.
This cross walk started small here in Stroudsburg more than 25 years ago. This year more than 400 Christians took to the streets to observe Good Friday.
"It always fills me with hope to see everyone else here and to show really that our church is alive," said Sagheddu.
This Holy Week tradition is one that draws a great deal of attention on Main Street.
"It`s a great community event to stop traffic and say this Friday is different than all others, and just make people think a little bit about what this day is about," Rev. Brown said.
And it's bringing these faithful one step closer to the Easter Celebration on Sunday.
