On Good Friday, April 10, 2009, Trinity presented a unique Passion Play that married the thousand year old Christian tradition of the Passion Play with modern social media.
Followers received Tweets from the main characters in the story of Christ’s final hours—Jesus, Mary, Pontius Pilate, Peter, the serving girl, and Joseph of Arimathea--as the events of the passion unfolded. An application called GroupTweet made it possible for subscribers to follow one Twitter account and yet receive updates from each character. It also made it possible for followers to participate in the play itself by sending direct messages to the GroupTweet account, which were then automatically sent to all followers.
Over 2,200 Twitter users followed the play in real time, with many more tracking the events through website feeds and national news coverage. Several Twitter users spontaneously jumped into the play, giving voice to other biblical characters mentioned in the gospel accounts.
The Passion Play increased awareness of Trinity's use of technology to spread the word of the Gospel and brought readers to trinitywallstreet.org.
_Peter_of_ is waiting in the courtyard of the High Priest Caiaphas. I ran scared when the officers came but I need to see how this ends. 12:00 PM Apr 10th
ServingGirl is so tired. Caiaphas and the priests have been up all night questioning a man who claims to be the Messiah. And I wait on them. 12:05 PM Apr 10th
_JesusChrist Let the scriptures be fulfilled. It is as the prophets wrote. I am who you say I am. 12:15 PM Apr 10th
_Peter_of_ is heartsick. I abandoned him. I denied him. I couldn't believe it, even as the words came out of my mouth. 12:36 PM Apr 10th
Pontius_Pilate Bad feeling about this. The prisoner won't talk. The priests accuse him of blasphemy and sedition, and he just stands there, waiting. 12:46 PM Apr 10th
Mary_Mother_Of I have no peace, though I have talked with angels, and in my bones I know he is Emmanuel. It rips me to hear the crowds chant "Crucify him!" 12:59 PM Apr 10th
Pontius_Pilate What harm has this man done? Why does the crowd cheer on his murder? I wash my hands of this. They can do what they want. 1:07 PM Apr 10th
ServingGirl This crowd is rough. Talk of his blood on our hands...but if he is really the Messiah God will rescue him. 1:12 PM Apr 10th
LeAnnThomas Thank you 4 the follow & 4 this beautiful version of the passion scriptures. Really brings it to life...evokes reflection and gratefulness.. 1:16 PM Apr 10th
_JesusChrist Father forgive them, they know not what they do. 1:17 PM Apr 10th
tc226 This man befriends prostitutes, washes the feet of the poor - surely he is not a King but a blasphemer. 1:25 PM Apr 10th
_JesusChrist It is as the prophets have written: I tell my tale of misery while they look on and gloat. 1:25 PM Apr 10th
Mary_Mother_Of The light is going from the sky. I am alone here. Give me strength, God of the Universe. 1:32 PM Apr 10th
dennis526455 Thieve said: Remember me when you are in Paradise. Jesus said: From this day you will be with me in Paradise. That is called Amasing Grace. 1:35 PM Apr 10th
_JesusChrist Father into thy hands I commit my spirit. 1:44 PM Apr 10th
rphtweet Thank you! God bless you! That was wonderful! 2:23 PM Apr 10th
ServingGirl Darkness and earthquake. I heard the curtain in the temple was torn in two. I wonder... 2:29 PM Apr 10th
Pontius_Pilate They want this done by nightfall. I sent my soldiers to break the dead men's legs. Are my hands clean of this? 2:25 PM Apr 10th
Mary_Mother_Of I saw the water and the blood. I want to scream with him: Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? 2:36 PM Apr 10th
romanguard1 I've got dibs on his robe, but if you guys want to cast lots for the rest of his clothes I'm cool with that. 2:37 PM Apr 10th
JosephArimathea is sleepwalking through this. I cut the tomb, bought the linen, hold his body-and he's gone. 2:41 PM Apr 10th
Mary_Mother_Of They sealed his tomb at dusk. The stone stands between us, and I can't leave. I am an old woman now, lost in the dark. 2:50 PM Apr 10th
dejebbies he has risen 3:11 PM Apr 10th
Gee43 Send out His word and it will not return void. Thank you for this experience. God has and will bless you. 3:15 PM Apr 10th
rjmcclain1 I hate I missed it! Just heard about it a little while ago on the news! We are a church plant and wow....we loved the idea! Amazing! 3:36 PM Apr 10th
SwtMagic1 That was very cool, and I'm not even christian! Do you think you guys could repost it without the random @'s? 3:45 PM Apr 10th
mk_jett Thank you so much for putting this play together. It's a modern day way of sharing HIS story! 3:54 PM Apr 10th
DaniMac2 You should plan more of these! Awesome idea. 3:59 PM Apr 10th
cindyloume Thank you for this! Tho I missed most of it live, I'll go to site to read all. 4:13 PM Apr 10th
snoozingdog Thank you, that was wonderful, as was your live broadcast of The Liturgy of Good Friday. Again, thank you! 4:25 PM Apr 10th
markfams Thank you for presenting Our Lord's passion today in this unique way. I have to say I'm proud of technology today! Peace to you all. 4:28 PM Apr 10th
annepmc This has been a moving experience via a creative use of modern technology. Thank you. 4:32 PM Apr 10th
betweenthelakes Really good and really IMMEDIATE -- never had Passion story so much a part of real life before.... 5:01 PM Apr 10th
little_suite Thank you. This was beautiful. The stations of the cross at your church's web site is beautiful too. What a blessing! 5:10 PM Apr 10th
Eowyn61Rox Hi---I really enjoyed the passion play. Will you run it again this weekend? 5:17 PM Apr 10th
KelliNBama Enjoyed this very much! An interesting & unique way to spread the Word! Thank you! 6:09 PM Apr 10th
JAZZSPACE Will you finish the story tomorrow? 8:32 PM Apr 11th
noblejas Terrific! Besides, St. Paul: "If Christ was not raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your trust in God is useless" (1 Cor. 1 5:14) 5:55 AM Apr 12th
MACheney Thanks for doing the Passion. Had to work Friday so this helped me feel connected to the Body - remembering Jesus' sacrifice. 5:22 PM Apr 15th
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