GOOD
FRIDAY
Good Friday
commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Marked with prayers,
fasts and penance, it is a day of contrition for Christians.
Observed on the Friday just before Easter. Originally known
as 'God's Friday', the present expression is believed to have
emerged during the 10th or 11th century.
According
to Christian legend, Jesus Christ hailed from Nazareth, a town
in modern Israel. A well-loved and respected citizen, he was
considered by many to be the son of god. Some high officials
and Jewish priests however felt that he was trying to usurp
their authority and mislead the people. They hatched a plot
against Christ with the help of one of his 12 apostles, named
Judas. On charges of misleading the people, of instigating them
not to pay taxes to the emperor, and of claiming to be the messenger
of god, they arrested Christ. The following day, he was produced
before a council comprising of priests, the teachers of law
and elders, and questioned about the charges against him.
Finding
him gulty on all counts, they presented him before the Roman
Governor, who saw no reason to condemn him. But the priests
were adamant. They insisted that it was his teachings which
were responsible for all the riots in the city of Judae. At
the same time, they pleaded for the release of one of their
men, who had been imprisoned for the crime. The Governor appealed
to them, reiterating that Christ had done no wrong. When the
clergy did not agree, he handed Jesus Christ to them to do as
they wished. The crowd asked for his crucifixion.
As
he was led away by the soldiers, he was made to wear a crown
of thorns and mockingly addressed as 'King of the Jews' by the
jeering crowd. A huge wooden cross was placed on his shoulders,
and he carried it to the place assigned for his crucifixion.
A group of his followers marched in a procession behind him,
in a show of solidarity. Two criminals were also led to the
same place to be put to death with Jesus. At the assigned place,
the three men were nailed to the crosses and left to die. Jesus
died after three hours on the Jesus is believed to have died
on the cross at 3 o'clock in the afternoon Good Friday A cross,
symbolic of the one on which Jesus was crucified, is unveiled
in many churches cross. Before he breathed his last he asked
god, his father, to forgive those who were responsible for his
death, as they were unaware of the magnitude of their sin. Jesus
died at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. It is believed that he rose
from his grave on the following Sunday, which is celebrated
as Easter.
The
rituals for Good Friday commence on the preceding Thursday.
A feast symbolising the last supper of Christ is held on Thursday
night. The end of this meal marks the beginning of the fast
for Easter.
Among
some sects of the Syrian Orthodox Christians, the Good Friday
liturgy begins at midnight on Thursday, but for all other Christians
it starts on Friday morning.
A
plank of wood, representing the cross on which Christ was crucified
is displayed in churches for the veneration of believers. One
by one, they come and kiss it. This is followed by a service
from noon to3 o'clock, in which narratives from the four Gospels
are read out. Sermons, meditation and prayers form part of the
ceremony, in memory of the suffering endured by Jesus Christ
for three hours. This is followed by a general communion service
at midnight. In some churches, mourners wearing black, move
in a procession with an image of Christ, and a ceremonial burial
takes place. A day of prayer and penance, the bells of the churches
remain silent on Good Friday.
