The different styles marked the diversity of local churches here, from mega-churches to smaller, community parishes.

Bethesda Cathedral, Trinity Christian Centre and City Harvest Church, with more than 34,000 followers, yesterday staged large-scale productions centred on the theme of love and forgiveness.

At the Singapore Expo last evening, City Harvest Church, a charismatic church, staged The Final Solution, a drama about Jesus' crucifixion, with the help of 150 volunteers who worked as actors, ushers and costume-makers.

More than 8,000 church-goers filled the hall, wired with giant LCD screens, cameras and a surround-sound system.

The free performance is expected to draw more than 50,000 people over the Easter weekend.

The high-energy production was in contrast to a more sombre ceremony taking place downtown.

At Singapore's oldest Roman Catholic Church in Victoria Street, parishioners re-enacted a centuries-old Portuguese Good Friday ritual - the removal of Christ's body from the cross after the crucifixion.

St Joseph's Church, which was built in 1912, is said to have been founded by Portuguese settlers between 1851 and 1853.

Last night, more than 4,000 people attended the church's ceremony.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.

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