Area churches are expecting to fill their sanctuaries on Easter Sunday, in part because of the attention and curiosity generated by the film "The Passion of the Christ."

Mel Gibson's dramatic movie about the last hours of Christ's life has gained international media attention. The movie shows the arrest, suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and has been criticized for its violence and anti-Semitic tones.

But area Christians hope that a Good Friday community walk in downtown Cape Girardeau can help people understand the passion just as well.

"I think we'll have the biggest crowds yet because of the movie's impact," said the Rev. Mike Shupert of First Baptist Church. "I think people are thinking about what Christ went through."

The Way of the Cross Walk begins at 12:15 p.m. at Old St. Vincent's Church and winds its way through downtown before ending at Indian Park on William Street. It is sponsored by the Downtown Council of Churches.

The total route is about 2 miles, and participants can join at any stop along the way. There will be vans available for people who cannot walk the entire route.

As the crowd walks through downtown, a large wooden cross will be carried. The walk serves as a way for people to make a personal commitment and statement of faith, Shupert said.

"It has an emotional impact too when you listen to the Scripture and hear somebody praying. You can get caught up in what Christ went through," he said.

The walk is designed to follow the 14 stations of the cross, which explain what happened to Christ as he stood trial, carried his cross and died. The stations of the cross often are depicted in mosaics or stained glass windows inside Catholic churches, and are commemorated during services in the Catholic, Lutheran and Episcopalian churches.

The tradition of the stations comes from ancient times when people would make pilgrimages to the holy land to see where Jesus had died.

Since not everyone could attend the pilgrimage, people began making pictures of the places where Jesus carried his cross. It was those pictures that became the 14 stations.

But the Way of the Cross Walk isn't a denominational event. People of any church are invited to attend.

"People like that it has an ecumenical flavor," Shupert said. "The denominational boundaries are blurred." And the crowd is filled with both children, adults and senior adults.

During the walk Friday, there will be several stops that incorporate music and song, including youth musicians.

In case of rain, the event will be held inside Old St. Vincent's Church.