Christians carry cross in Medina on Good Friday

Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Steve Cavers, right, and Paul Wengrzycki, members of the First Baptist Church in Medina, carry the cross in the Medina Canal Basin as part of a Good Friday walk in the Medina downtown today.

About 40 people from Medina area churches were part of the “Pilgramage to Golgotha.” Christians took turns carrying the cross, while local pastors read Scriptures and the group sang hymns.

Cavers and Wengrzycki walk with the cross across Main Street.

DeAnn Diermyer, a member of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, carried the cross at one point with Judy Hipes of the Medina United Methodist Church.

“It was awesome, awesome,” Diermyer said. “There aren’t enough words to describe it.”

Cavers and Wengrzycki carry the cross on West Avenue, headed to the Medina Historical Society.

Lang Lilley, in Bills jacket, hands the cross to Judy Hipes in front of the First Baptist Church. Hipes has been to Israel fives times, tracing the steps of Jesus when he carried the cross to Golgotha.

Hipes is married to Tony Hipes, pastor of the Medina United Methodist Church. Today was her first time carrying the cross, and she said it was a powerful experience, helping her to imagine Jesus carrying the cross after being brutally beaten.

“He was beaten nearly to death and he still had to carry it,” Mrs. Hipes said. “The fact that someone would do this for you is a very personal thing. That’s why Easter comes off as an amazing day.”

The Rev. Alfreda Morse, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, speaks in front of the Presbyterian Church on Main Street. Judy Hipes, center, and DeAnn Diermyer are holding the cross.

There will be Good Friday services this evening at 7:30 at the Medina United Methodist Church and 7:30 at the Knowlesville United Methodist Church.

On Easter, there will be a sunrise service at Boxwood Cemetery at 6:30 a.m. and at 7 a.m. at the Millville Cemetery.