BANGOR – Bangor’s fifth annual “Passion Play” opens tonight, May 18, at the Union Street Brick Church. Performed by members of several area churches, the play tells the story of the last days of Jesus’ life, and the meaning of His death and Resurrection. This year the play is based on Matthew’s Gospel, but set in the modern day.

The performance of Passion plays is a tradition that goes back to at least the Middle Ages, and some think as early as the first 100 years after Jesus’ death. Until the Emperor Constantine declared Christianity officially acceptable, early in the 4th century A.D., Christians had to worship secretly and in hiding, in places like the catacombs outside of Rome. There, it is thought, the story of Jesus’ life and death not only was told, but acted out, to teach children and converts the meaning of the Christ’s death and Resurrection.

The tradition of Passion plays came into its own, however, in the centuries before the invention of the printing press – after which, everyone could have a Bible to read for themselves. Passion plays were performed in cathedrals and castles, by local churchgoers and by traveling actors who performed the story from the backs of wagons in villages throughout Europe.

The Union Street Brick Church resumed the tradition in 2002, with a script borrowed from a Roman Catholic church in New Jersey. Since then, director Charlene Kent, who holds a master’s degree in theological studies, has written scripts each year based on one of the four gospels.

This production points out that any religious authority which acts out of fear and self-interest, rather than God’s love, is capable of instigating the shedding of innocent blood. In this year’s play, Jesus walks into a cathedral, overturns an ATM and tells the priests and pastors, “It is written – My house is for prayer. It is called the ‘Place of Prayer.’ You have made it a nest for crooks. Robbers! Cheats!” The story in Matthew’s Gospel is told in modern day terms, but the outcome and the tragedy remain the same.

Cast members are: Bernard Kellish, John Mooney, Alan Townsend Sr., Brock MacDougal, Kim Slininger, Shannon Kellish, Julia Ozog, Canda Santiago, Sarah Coston, Ivan Flanzala, Carl Rankin, Jo Raqua, Lee Rimedios, Stephan Metropoulos, Lee Witting, Bill Simpson, Matthew McDonald, Paul Bigda, Harry Slininger, Sean Davis, Kelly Nelson Santiago, Heidi Ravenscraft, Sabra Ravenscraft, Eric Howell, David Rolf, Taegre Kellish, Linnea Flanzala, Chris Slininger and Ussi. Bernard Kellish is set director, Kim Slininger is in charge of costumes and props, and Matt Witting does the lighting.

The production opens today at 7:30 p.m. It will be performed again at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 19-20, with 3:30 p.m. performances Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21, at Union Street Brick Church at the corner of Union and Main streets downtown. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Refreshments are served after each performance. For information, call 945-9798.