GORDON - The devotional and historical "Trek of the Cross" took to the streets of Gordon for the 33rd time on Good Friday, with Jeffrey Nemeth portraying Jesus Christ for the second time.
A Frackville resident, Nemeth, 36, took on the role of Jesus carrying His cross last year, taking over the tradition from his uncle, Edward Labie, who carried the cross through Gordon for 21 years.
Accompanied by "centurion" Bradley Klinger of Mahanoy City, Nemeth wore a crown of thorns as he carried the cross in bare feet, wearing a white robe and purple sash, followed by others, some in costume, some regular clothing.
Those in costume dressed their parts in the parsonage next door to Simpson United Methodist Church. Nina Kramer was asked which Biblical person she was portraying.
"I'm one of the Marys - which one I don't know," said Kramer. "Give me Mary Magdalene. I'll take her today." Rose Yost, whose husband began the trek, decided to be Jesus' mother, Mary.
Nemeth walked down the stairs, carrying the cross from the second floor. He sported a beard, starting it on Jan. 1. Next year he plans to start a beard about two months before the trek. Nemeth has been getting comments this year on the beard, which will be shaved off very soon.
"People have been asking me for the last month, 'Are you doing Jesus this year? I see the beard growing.' They know me and know what I'm doing. I went to pay my sewer bill and I hear, 'It's Jesus.' It feels good," said Nemeth.
As usual, the weather cooperated again with no precipitation, though there was a chilly wind.
"It has rained once during the trek," said Nemeth. "I think it went pretty well last year, and I learned a few things how to do it better this year."
Portraying Jesus to the public has an effect on Nemeth at personal and spiritual levels.
"It is such an honor to continue what my family started over 30 years ago. I get to portray the greatest man who ever walked the face of the earth. Everything about this is an honor," said Nemeth. "I'm really thrilled."
The tradition began in 1979 when Elmer Yost of Allentown picked up a large cross and walked through the streets portraying Jesus Christ to bring the salvation message of Good Friday to Gordon's homebound. The first year, Yost did the trek by himself. The second year he had a friend come from Allentown as a soldier. On the third year, he rented two soldier costumes.
When he started the trek, Yost was an Allentown resident, but made regular visits to the borough and was a member of Simpson United Methodist Church, as well as a church in Allentown. The pastor at the time was interested in re-enactments and supported Yost in his idea.
Yost had planned to do the "Trek" for 12 years - a year for each Apostle, with the hope that it would continue beyond that time. Shortly after the 10th trek, Yost passed away. In order to complete the intended 12 years of treks, Yost's nephew, Edward Labie of Girardville, picked up the cross in 1989 for the two remaining years. Those two treks became 21 treks, his last in 2009.
Over the past 32 treks, only two have been adversely affected by weather. It snowed during one of Yost's treks, which he still did in bare feet. The other trek was the year Labie took over for his late uncle when a heavy rain fell throughout the event.
The trek began at Simpson United Methodist Church on Biddle Street and proceeded to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, where Gene Klinger spoke about how the day Jesus was crucified could be called "Good Friday." As Klinger spoke, Nemeth stood near the sanctuary holding the cross as Bradley Klinger stood guard at the church entrance.
Because of the position of the churches, the path of the trek is in the shape of a cross.
The procession then moved west on Biddle Street, then turned right onto Hobart Street, and after walking several blocks, the procession made its way to McKnight Street, headed back toward Biddle Street, where it turned right and headed west to Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church, where the "The Lord's Prayer" was led by Kramer outside on the church steps.
The trek then moved back along Biddle Street to Simpson United Methodist Church, where a community ecumenical Good Friday service was held by Pastor John Wallace.
Gordon Fire Police provided traffic control.