Photo gallery: Darkness before dawn

Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 4, 2015

More than 60 actors from Highland Baptist Church presented an Easter program titled “The Sacrifice of the Christ” Friday night and will present another performance today at 7:30 p.m. The program presents the last days of Jesus, his death on the cross and his resurrection in drama and music. (Some scenes depicted may be considered too violent for children.) Drenched in red light, Christ is depicted as carrying the cross to Calvary. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

More than 60 actors from Highland Baptist Church presented an Easter program titled “The Sacrifice of the Christ” Friday night and will present another performance today at 7:30 p.m. The program presents the last days of Jesus, his death on the cross and his resurrection in drama and music. (Some scenes depicted may be considered too violent for children.) Drenched in red light, Christ is depicted as carrying the cross to Calvary. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Roman soldiers lift the crosses of two villians before finally lifting Jesus in the middle. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Roman soldiers lift the crosses of two villians before finally lifting Jesus in the middle. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

A full moon rises behind the audience transfixed by the dramatic presentation. (Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

A full moon rises behind the audience transfixed by the dramatic presentation. (Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

Judas Iscariot is depicted as crying on the ground after handing Christ over to the authorities to be crucified. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Judas Iscariot is depicted as crying on the ground after handing Christ over to the authorities to be crucified. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)