Roman Soldiers were there in case of trouble as people went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. Many Jews wanted rid of the Romans, and thought Jesus might lead their campaign to get out of the Roman Empire.

But Jesus did not turn out to be that kind of leader. He entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey,welcoming children.

There was a large cast of singers and people taking part in the performance of the Abingdon Passion. One performance was at 11am. The second followed at 3pm.

Jesus upset the established religious leaders by turning the money changers out of the Temple, saying it was the house of God,and they had turned it into a den of thieves. Those leaders then looked for an opportunity to get rid of Jesus.

During the Passover meal Jesus told Judas to go and do what he had to do. Jesus was arrested later that evening and taken for trial – betrayed by Judas.

Other disciples of Jesus also let him down. Peter broke down after denying even knowing Jesus.

Jesus was brought before the Religious leaders, Pontius Pilate – the Roman Governor, and then before Herod with his harem.Herod soon got bored with Jesus because he would not speak or do any miracles, and so sent him back to Pilot for a final decision.

Jesus was brought out to be flogged.

Then Jesus was crucified.

His mother Mary was there as he died, and held his body for a few moments, before it was taken to a tomb.

The body disappeared, and somebody looking like Jesus appeared at the back of the Market Place.

The second Abingdon Passion Play will be performed on Sunday 13 March 2016 and there will be two performances at 11am and 3pm on the Market Place. Running time is about 90 minutes. Some of the cast were out and about on Saturday handing out fliers.

As a result there will be a road closure in front of the County Hall Museum.

The first Abingdon Passion Play in 2013 took place in the Abbey Meadows, and the Guildhall. Here is a video made from stills and movies done on this blog at the time:

The Friends of Abingdon Museum have organised a talk on the artist and printmaker John Piper. John Piper was also a master of modern stained glass, and a photographer. An example of his stained glass can be seen in St. Helen’s Church, as well as other churches in this area. Photographs he took of Abingdon can be seen in the Tate Collection.

The talk, by Revd Ian Browne, is to be held at the Amey Theatre at Abingdon School on 3rd March 2016 at 7:30pm. Tickets at £10 include a complimentary drink and are available from boxoffice@abingdon.org.uk, the Newbury Building Society, Mostly Books, and The Bookstore.

It was Valentine’s Day today, and in Abingdon Museum, as part of The Nature of Art Exhibition, there is an exhibit by Diccon Dadey called The ‘Guess How Much I Love You?’ Hare, inspired by the popular Children’s book of the same name.

On Saturday 20th both the artists will be there: Bill Pike, with his large canvasses showing rippling water, and Diccon Dadey, with animals wrought from metal. I had expected be there, but cannot make it now. If anybody can do a report I would be very pleased.