Every year around this time the Reverend Cyril Simmons starts to grow his beard out and ups his workout at the gym. “People often stop and say, I can see it’s that time of year again,” the minister for Ebenezer Methodist Church in St George said. “I say I’m just getting ready for Jesus’ return.” What he is actually preparing for is the Walk to Calvary, a Good Friday re-enactment that has been going on in St George for more than 40 years.

Last year more than 1,500 onlookers attended the event, including people from overseas.

Mr Simmons has been involved since 2006. For the first seven years he played the role of the apostle Peter, famous for denying Christ three times before the crucifixion.

“My uncle, the Reverend Dr Erskine Simmons, was one of the founders with the East End Ministerial Association,” Mr Simmons said. “I am definitely honoured to be part of that legacy.”

He took on the role of Jesus 12 years ago, when the late Eugene Wainwright stepped down after decades of doing it.

Mr Simmons’ part involves carrying a 30lb wooden cross through the narrow streets of St George.

The event is a multi generational experience for the Simmons family. His three sons are all involved. The youngest, Lucah, appears in the temple scene with children playing.

Micah acts as one of the temple guards and his eldest, Jonah supports the walk from behind the scenes, working on props and preparation.

The walk is a joint effort, not the work of a single congregation. In addition to Mr Simmons, the Walk to Calvary Production leadership team includes ministers Joyce Hayward from St John African Methodist Episcopal in Hamilton Parish, David Trott from Peace Lutheran in Paget and June Ann Furbert from Richard Allen AME in St George.

“It takes quite a bit of coordination, even just for rehearsals,” Mr Simmons said.

He said St George is a beautiful setting. The walk includes Ebenezer at 7 York Street, and stops at the historic St Peter’s Anglican Church. The trial of Jesus will be held in King’s Square with the route ending on Ordnance Island.

“We utilise the historical points of St George, such as the Unfinished Church, Somers Garden and St Peter’s,” Mr Simmons said.

The atmosphere is one of excitement and anticipation, with moments of humour.

“Last year we included the Bible scene of Jesus cleansing the temple,” Mr Simmons said. “That is one of my favourite scenes, because I get to turn over tables. That is a good way to get the crowd going.”

For the most part, though the walk is a serious thing. As the story progresses a sombreness settles over the crowd.

“People often find themselves in a very pensive and reflective state,” the minister said. “At the very end it gets very emotional and contemplative. People reflect more on what Christ did for them from a spiritual perspective.”

He said it often takes the actors several days to recover from the emotion of the walk.

On Good Friday there will be a pre worship celebration starting at 9.45am at Ebenezer, before the walk starts at 10.30am.

“We encourage people to get there as early as possible,” Mr Simmons said. “There are various artistic displays, liturgical dancing, poetry reading and art on display.”

The walk is part of an experience weekend. There is also a Passover celebration on Thursday and tours of St George on the Saturday.

“We have done our best to incorporate the cultural elements of Bermuda that are important to us,” Mr Simmons said. “There is also a sunrise service on Easter Sunday.”

The Eastern Ministerial Association plans to hold a stage production later in the year.

“It would not be a passion play, necessarily,” Mr Simmons said. “It would be something akin to the Book of Acts about the history of the church.”

A script has already been penned, but a debut date has not yet been chosen. “It would have a different vibe than the Walk for Calvary,” he said.

For the Walk to Calvary, parking will be available at Tiger Bay in St George and in the St George parking lot, next to the ferry stop. There will also be parking along Kindley Field Road with a shuttle bus to run people into town.

• For more details on the Walk to Calvary and other events see walktocalvary.bm