Good Friday is the day when
Jesus Christ was crucified and the Christians
offer prayers and services in the Churches. Easter
is another important festival for Christians.
On this day Jesus Christ rose from the dead and
ascended into heaven. Easter eggs and Easter bunnies
are a major attraction during Easter, the festival
of rejuvenation of life and living.
Good Friday marks the end of the 40-day period
of fasting and renunciation during Lent, which
recalls the days of penance Jesus spent in the
desert. After this period, Jesus returned to Jerusalem,
and was welcomed as the King of the Jews.
The Celebrations
The Celebrations In Panjim, hundreds of devout
Goan Catholics gather in the Panjim Church of
Mary Immaculate Conception to listen to mass and
participate in the Way of the Cross. During the
afternoon sermon, the priests narrate the sufferings
that Jesus Christ took upon himself for the sake
of humanity. The mass is in Konkani, Goa's state
language, attracts a crowd too large for the church
itself, and people stand in the doorways and in
the premises, dressed in formal clothes with somber
countenance.
Good Friday, anniversary of Jesus' death on the
cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put
to death on the Friday before Easter Day. Since
the early church Good
Friday has been observed by fasting and penance.
In the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican
traditions, the celebration of the Eucharist is
suspended; liturgical service involves veneration
of the cross, the Passion narrative from the Gospel
of St. John, and communion using bread and wine
consecrated the previous day, Maundy Thursday.
Other forms of observance include prayer and meditation
at the Stations of the Cross, a succession of
14 images, usually on wooden crosses, depicting
Christ's crucifixion and the events leading up
to it. |