THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST According To Saint John

This is a monumental setting of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John, sung entirely in Igbo. It is specifically designed for the Good Friday liturgy, where the Gospel narrative of Christ's trial and crucifixion is traditionally chanted or sung in parts.

The composition by Rev. Fr. Basil Okeke assigns the scriptural roles to distinct voices: the Narrator (N), Jesus (J), various individuals like Pilate and Peter (S), and the Choir taking on the role of the crowd or "Turba". This dramatic division brings the solemn events of the Passion to life for the congregation, moving from the garden of Gethsemane to the cross at Golgotha.

Singing the Passion is one of the most profound moments of Holy Week in the Catholic tradition. The choir's intense interjections as the crowd—crying out for Barabbas or demanding the crucifixion—contrast sharply with the calm, measured responses of Jesus. It draws the faithful deeply into the mystery of the cross, culminating in the powerful silence when Christ yields his spirit.