The road to resurrection: Stories from Seville’s holy week procession

Christians around the world are celebrating the Holy Week, commemorating Christ's death and his believed resurrection through centuries-old traditions. Penitents of 'San Gonzalo' brotherhood process through the streets of Seville during Holy Week in Spain. (Pic credit: AP)

Starting on Palm Sunday, a week before Easter, hundreds of “costaleros” — solemnly robed and often hooded — carry huge floats with the sacred images in procession. (Pic credit: AP)

A penitent holds her cross as she prays before the start of the procession. (Pic credit: AP)

A worshipper prays, placing her hand on the platform carrying a figure of Christ from the brotherhood of El Cerro in Seville, Spain. (Pic credit: AP)

Penitents from "La Paz" brotherhood walk to the church to take part in a procession in Seville. (Pic credit: AP)

A penitent of the Los Estudiantes brotherhood is blessed after confessing to a priest as they prepare to go on procession during Holy Week in Seville. (Pic credit: AP)

Guardia Civil officers guard the procession as the penitents of the brotherhood of 'La Paz' walk through the streets of Seville during Holy Week. (Pic credit: AP)

A man bursts into tears as an image of the Virgin Mary is carried in procession through the streets of Seville. (Pic credit: AP)

Altar servers crowd a window to watch the passing of the Christ of the San Bernardo brotherhood during Holy Week in Seville, Spain. (Pic credit: AP)

With tears of emotion often flowing down their faces, tens of thousands of faithful have packed the rooftops, bridges and narrow streets of this historic city in southern Spain to watch much-venerated images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary carried in hourslong processions throughout Holy Week. (Pic credit: AP)