14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Discipline

The cross-bearers approach the “s-bbulcr” (the Holy Sepulchers in the various churches), moving up the nave of the church on their knees, after leaving the Cross at the door. They then proceed to “discipline” themselves by whipping their forearms with the iron chains they drag through the streets attached to their ankles.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2016
Date Uploaded: 04.2016
Photo Location: Noicattaro, Italy
Copyright: © Thomas Francia