________________
Cerberus In ancient Greek mythology, Cerberus was a watchdog of the Underworld. The creature resembled a large dog, but it had three heads instead of one, and its tail had the form of a poisonous snake. It stood outside the main gate of the Underworld with its three heads facing outward to prevent living people from entering, while its snake-like tail faced inward to prevent the spirits of the dead from leaving. Because it ate nothing but raw meat, it always allowed entry to the arriving spirits of people who had just died, but it viciously attacked any living person who tried to get in.
Capturing Cerberus was the last of the twelve tasks given to the great hero Hercules (Heracles). In fact, this was his most dangerous task of all, because he wasn't allowed to use any weapons. To reach the Underworld, he entered a cave and went down through a rocky passageway. When he found Cerberus, he tried to subdue the fierce creature by wrapping his powerful arms around all three heads. Although its snake-tail swung around and bit him, he eventually wrestled the beast into submission. Strangely, after he brought it up to the surface of the earth, he was told to take it back, and so he returned it to the Underworld unharmed.
Crucifixion Re-enactments Every year on Good Friday, dozens of people in the Philippines re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They allow their hands and feet to be nailed to a wooden cross, and then they remain attached to it for a period of time, in an attempt to experience the same pain and suffering that Jesus went through. Most of these people are devout Catholics who hope to atone for their sins or give thanks for an answered prayer. These crucifixion reenactments have been taking place in some Philippine villages for many decades, and a few individuals have gone through the ordeal many times. In several villages the event even attracts tourists, who come every year on
