Chicago area faiths observe religious holy days on Friday

CHICAGO - Jewish, Islamic, and Christian faiths were all observing religious holy days on Friday.

The overlapping of Passover, Ramadan, and Easter only happens about once every 30 years.

Also this year, more people are choosing to observe those religious holidays together after many gathered virtually the last two seasons.

At Daley Plaza, the Archdiocese of Chicag marked Good Friday with its annual "Way of the Cross" procession. The faithful then marched to Holy Name Cathedral for mass.

The total length of the walk was approximately two miles.

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In Pilsen, a Stations of the Cross procession returned after two years of live-streamed events. The Via Crucis tradition features a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

"It goes above religion, it’s a community event that touches many throughout the Midwest," said Nellie Quintana, Pilsen Via Crucis coordinator.

Hundreds gathered for the event on Friday morning. It has been a tradition in Pilsen since 1977.

"Most of our shields, most of our spears, they’re still from 1977 when the original coordinators and churches founded the Pilsen Via Crucis," said Quintana.

Various religious gatherings will take place throughout the weekend, leading up to Easter Sunday.

Meantime, Passover began Friday night. The Jewish holiday lasts seven days. It commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and their exodus to the Promised Land.

Ramadan, which marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, began on Friday, April 1 will end on Sunday, May 1. For those who observe the religious month, it is a time of prayer, fasting, and reflection.