Decades-old tradition continues on the streets of Salt Lake City in advance of a unifying Easter.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Junior Salazar carries the cross with an assist from Josiah Salazar, left, and John Salazar, right, in the annual Good Friday procession in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 18, 2025.
Amid this time of widespread division, all of Christendom will unite this weekend to celebrate the religion’s holiest day.
For the first time in nearly a decade, Easter will fall on the same Sunday (April 20) for Western Christians and Eastern Orthodox devotees.
On Good Friday, dozens of Utah Christians again took to the streets of downtown Salt Lake City and symbolically retraced Jesus’ steps to his crucifixion on Golgotha, with participants taking turns bearing the cross.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Yichen Lee holds the cross at Crossroads Urban Center, the third station in the annual Good Friday procession in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 18, 2025.
The caravan — a pre-Easter staple since 1983 — started at the majestic Cathedral of the Madeleine before proceeding down South Temple to the stately First Presbyterian Church, followed by stops at Crossroads Urban Center, the historic First United Methodist Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral,
Members of Utah’s predominant religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have also been urged to elevate their Easter preparations this year.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Rev. Jamie White prays at the annual Good Friday procession at First Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 18, 2025.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bishop Oscar Solis speaks at the annual Good Friday procession in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 18, 2025.
“No matter what others believe or do, we should celebrate the resurrection of our living Savior,” apostle Dallin Oaks, first counselor in the governing First Presidency, said in a recent video, “by studying his teachings and helping to establish Easter traditions in our society.”
One of those traditions continued on a brisk Friday evening in the heart of Utah’s capital and in the hearts of the marchers who participated.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Albin Matthew carries the cross in the annual Good Friday procession in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 18, 2025.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) John Salazar carries the cross in the annual Good Friday procession in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 18, 2025.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) People sing a hymn at Crossroads Urban Center, the third station of the annual Good Friday procession in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 18, 2025.