2025 - The Centurion's Journey

The Centurion has a very busy role. He is in charge of the Roman soldiers, is the key liaison to communicate and enact Pontius Pilate's orders and is responsible for ensuring the actors playing Roman Soldiers and Temple Guards understand the safest way to participate in the various scuffles and fights that break out during the Way of the Cross.

Here he is before the play, once more going through the safety briefing, explaining what happens, what to avoid and how to slam those shields together to get the best effect with least bruises and scrapes.

 

The Centurion's first appearance is with his second in command, the Optio Marcus, and the High Priests, Scribe and Temple Guards preparing for the arrest of Jesus.

Once the arrest happens, he tells the Optio they have to report to Pontius Plate as he fears the arrest means trouble.

He listens and observes as Caiaphus and Pontius Pilate have their battle of wits, with Caiphus trying to get Pilate to condemn Jesus to death. The Centurion knows that whatever happens, he and his men will be in the thick of the trouble that arises.

Once the scourging has completed and Jesus is condemned to death by crucifixion, he has to guard the procession through a troubled city, taunted by Caiaphus and his associates.

He can see that this is unjust and is troubled by what he is experiencing.

More and more incidents accumulate along the way, reinforcing his concerns.

The Centurion gets more and more agitated and forceful with the agitators riling up the crowd and the pushy temple guards and High Priests.

He frequently calls halts to allow Jesus to make it all the way to the end.

After the third fall of Jesus, the Centurion helps Jesus up and gives some encouragement, admonishing his more enthusiastic soldiers to reduce the aggressiveness to the prisoner.

After Jesus has died on the Cross, and the earth shook and sky was darkened, the Centurion realises this man was not just another criminal. He pronounces, "Truly, this man was the Son of God."

He is there with Joseph of Aramethea, confirming the death of Jesus.

Then he helps with the taking down of Jesus from the cross.

His final act is leading the stretcher bearers, carrying Jesus to the tomb.

The Re-enactment of Our Lord's Passion has a number of these interesting character arcs flowing through the 26 scenes of the play. Every year we have a different mix of actors playing the various roles, and each one brings their own understanding to their role, allowing for every year to be the same - but different - enhancing the immersive experience.