Ruben Enaje

Ruben Enaje is a Filipino carpenter, sign painter,[2] and former construction worker. He is noted for being crucified 33 times as of 2019.[3][4]

Ruben Enaje
Enaje (right)
Born1960/1961 (age 62–63)[1]
San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Occupation(s)Carpenter, Construction worker
Known forBeing voluntarily crucified annually on Good Friday

He has been crucified every year from 1986 through 2019 on Good Friday; the COVID-19 pandemic required that he skip crucifixion in the years 2020–2022.[5]

Background

Enaje, who was once a construction worker in the Philippines, fell down from an unfinished building in Tarlac, and unexpectedly survived.[6] After the incident, saying that it was to thank the Lord for saving him, Enaje started participating in crucifixions, of his own free will, in a ritual done on Good Friday every year.[7] Initially done only for nine years since the incident, he continued with his another set of nine years as a petition for the healing of his daughter from asthma and another nine years for the good health of his wife.[1]

Crucifixions

Enaje was crucified for his first time in 1985. He had promised God that he would be crucified 27 times, which came to pass in 2013.[8] He continued thereafter. He offered his 30th crucifixion, in 2016, to the people of Belgium, who had recently suffered from a terrorist attack, and prayed for a more peaceful outcome of the 2016 Philippine general election.[9] In 2019, Enaje re-iterated his hopes to finally find a replacement, having now been crucified once a year for 33 years (the same number of years that Jesus was alive).[10] Enaje said that he would have his 34th and final reenactment of the crucifixion in 2023. It would be his first since 2019 as it was halted from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

See also

References
  1. Orejas, Tonette (March 16, 2023). "PH's longest-serving 'Kristo' plans to end Lenten vow". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  2. Jaime Uribarri (April 22, 2011). "Christians in Philippines celebrate Good Friday by recreating crucifixion of Jesus". Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  3. Orejas, Tonette (March 25, 2016). "15 crucified on Good Friday in Pampanga". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  4. "No more pain for Philippine devotee nailed to cross for 32nd time". Reuters. March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  5. Cal, Ben (April 13, 2022). "Filipino penitent cancels 'crucifixion' anew due to Covid-19". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  6. Crucifixion re-enactment is annual Good Friday rite in Philippines AP. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  7. Hodari. "Suffered 22 times more than Jesus ever did". Oddee.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  8. "Only one more year to go for Ruben Enaje with his real crucifixions". Demotix. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  9. "Filipino nailed to cross prays for Belgium, PH". Manila Bulletin. March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  10. "Every year a Filipino man marks Good Friday with an actual crucifixion. He just did it for the 33rd time". CNN. April 19, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
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