Thousands of Christians gathered at St Peter's Church here to witness the enactment of the Passion of the Christ during Holy Week. The annual event even attracted non-Christians and tourists who thronged the church's compound in Pengkalan Rama.

A procession led by the standard of the Holy Eucharist and Mater Dolorosa (Mother of Sorrows) began from St Peter’s Church in Malacca Sunday.

The highlight was a procession to mark Palm Sunday, which traces its roots to the historical city's 16th century Portuguese era when the Augustinian missionaries initiated the rituals seen to this day.

Taking part in the colourful, yet solemn procession, were the Irmaos de Igrega (Brothers of the Church), made up of Portuguese descendants here and said to be the oldest all-male church society in the region.

The procession included the carrying of statues of Christ shouldering the Cross and of Mother Mary.

A similar procession will be reenacted on the evening of April 2 to mark Good Friday when thousands of pilgrims from Malaysia and Singapore are expected to attend.