The Passion Play Session Video

Jesus’ Passion story is presented each Lent in countless churches every year. But one play presented by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, in Bavaria, Germany, may be one of the longest-running performance of all. Staged every ten years since 1634, the play makes an impact not only on the villagers who portray the characters but on all who see it as well. In The Passion Play, Rob Fuquay follows the biblical story of the Passion and shows how this amazing play has been used both as a ritual of praise and later as a weapon through its anti-Semitic past.

In Session 1, Rob Fuquay introduces the town of Oberammergau, Germany, and their 400-year history of performing a Passion Play every ten years. Fuquay explains how the tradition began as the result of a vow to ward off the plague, and continues today as a vibrant part of the town’s identity.


Running Time: 7:55


Instructions: To stream a purchased video, login with your cokesbury.com user account, click on Digital Content in your account, and select Streaming Videos.

Jesus’ Passion story is presented each Lent in countless churches every year. But one play presented by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, in Bavaria, Germany, may be one of the longest-running performance of all. Staged every ten years since 1634, the play makes an impact not only on the villagers who portray the characters but on all who see it as well. In The Passion Play, Rob Fuquay follows the biblical story of the Passion and shows how this amazing play has been used both as a ritual of praise and later as a weapon through its anti-Semitic past.


In Session 2, every person in Oberammergau participates somehow in the staging of the Passion Play, bringing the community together in profound ways. The community experience defines what it means to be church, gathered together.


Running Time: 7:28


Instructions: To stream a purchased video, login with your cokesbury.com user account, click on Digital Content in your account, and select Streaming Videos.

Jesus’ Passion story is presented each Lent in countless churches every year. But one play presented by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, in Bavaria, Germany, may be one of the longest-running performance of all. Staged every ten years since 1634, the play makes an impact not only on the villagers who portray the characters but on all who see it as well. In The Passion Play, Rob Fuquay follows the biblical story of the Passion and shows how this amazing play has been used both as a ritual of praise and later as a weapon through its anti-Semitic past.


In Session 3, Rob Fuquay discusses the power of routines and rituals in shaping our lives. He interviews actors who participate in the Passion Play, and explores how God is a God of ritual by looking at the props used for the Last Supper and talking about the Jewish Passover ritual of a Seder dinner.

Running Time: 6:08


Instructions: To stream a purchased video, login with your cokesbury.com user account, click on Digital Content in your account, and select Streaming Videos.

Jesus’ Passion story is presented each Lent in countless churches every year. But one play presented by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, in Bavaria, Germany, may be one of the longest-running performance of all. Staged every ten years since 1634, the play makes an impact not only on the villagers who portray the characters but on all who see it as well. In The Passion Play, Rob Fuquay follows the biblical story of the Passion and shows how this amazing play has been used both as a ritual of praise and later as a weapon through its anti-Semitic past.


In Session 4, Rob Fuquay speaks in front of the Pilatushaus in Oberammergau about the role of craft in the community. A woodworker speaks about his work and its relationship to the Passion Play. Fuquay also discusses how faith is meant to be a part of everything we do.

Running Time: 7:41


Instructions: To stream a purchased video, login with your cokesbury.com user account, click on Digital Content in your account, and select Streaming Videos.

Jesus’ Passion story is presented each Lent in countless churches every year. But one play presented by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, in Bavaria, Germany, may be one of the longest-running performance of all. Staged every ten years since 1634, the play makes an impact not only on the villagers who portray the characters but on all who see it as well. In The Passion Play, Rob Fuquay follows the biblical story of the Passion and shows how this amazing play has been used both as a ritual of praise and later as a weapon through its anti-Semitic past.


In Session 5, Rob Fuquay travels to Munich to begin the discussion of the Passion Play and its relationship to Nazi Germany and antisemitism. He discusses how anti-Jewish images and themes were used in the Passion Play until very recently. Play participants speak on the importance of removing those elements.


Running Time: 8:47


Instructions: To stream a purchased video, login with your cokesbury.com user account, click on Digital Content in your account, and select Streaming Videos.

Jesus’ Passion story is presented each Lent in countless churches every year. But one play presented by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, in Bavaria, Germany, may be one of the longest-running performance of all. Staged every ten years since 1634, the play makes an impact not only on the villagers who portray the characters but on all who see it as well. In The Passion Play, Rob Fuquay follows the biblical story of the Passion and shows how this amazing play has been used both as a ritual of praise and later as a weapon through its anti-Semitic past.


In Session 6, the role of the crucifix is discussed in this closing session. Rob Fuquay visits the Wieskirche and describes the miracle seen there and the power of the resurrection in our lives. He concludes at the Passion Play theater where he reads scripture and talks about letting God make our lives the stage of God’s story.


Running Time: 8:20


Instructions: To stream a purchased video, login with your cokesbury.com user account, click on Digital Content in your account, and select Streaming Videos.