This year’s Easter celebrations are blending tradition with modern technology. People are using mobile apps to follow religious processions and track the movement of elaborate floats. One app, “Chat with Jesus,” lets users talk to an artificial intelligence version of Jesus of Nazareth. The AI responds to user concerns with phrases like “Do not worry about anything, but in prayer and supplication.”
Some religious brotherhoods are criticizing this trend, calling it disrespectful. Others are embracing modernization, with a recent fashion trend involving customizing phones with Easter-themed figures called ‘Holy Angels.’ These include images of traditional Spanish mantillas (headdresses), costaleros (float bearers), and nazarenos (penitents in robes and hoods).
Technology meets tradition
The use of technology is changing the way people experience Easter. Mobile apps now offer real-time updates on procession routes and float movements. Some even include augmented reality features, allowing users to scan floats and learn more about their history and significance.
While some welcome these innovations, others are concerned they might distract from the spiritual significance of the celebrations. The debate about how to balance tradition with modernity continues.
These details highlight the increasing integration of technology into cultural and religious celebrations, presenting both opportunities for broader engagement and challenges for preserving traditional practices.