ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I describe the actualisation of the religious virtual in the form of heritage. Using the example of a passion play staged in Kraków, Poland I analyse how Roman Catholic heritage produces values that are claimed to be universal and eternal. As a transmutation of the medieval theatre genre, the performance constitutes an element of national heritage, but it is also a Roman Catholic ritual. Recreating the story of Christ by presenting the conversion of the main character, the passion play materialises on stage notions of repetition and renewal. In this way the performance brings together historical and religious temporalities that enable reflection on ‘the virtual problem of temporality’ and the relation of historical heritage to eternity. Importantly, by appropriating heritage discourse the Roman Catholic Church opens itself to a non-believing audience who challenge its universalistic values.
