Good Friday is Observed as the day of Jesus Christ's crucifixion.The Christians offer prayers and services in the churches on this day.Good Friday is followed by Ester which is observed on the belief that on this day Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended in to heaven.
To most Christians, Good Friday is really a misnomer in that it was a Bed Friday-the crucifixion day of Jesus.Some belive 'Good' evolved from 'God' or God's Friday.Others belive 'Good' represents the good gift of salvation brought forth by the martyrdom.Regardless, it is a holy day throughtout the Christian world.
Ceremonial worship of the holiday followers closely to the events described in the scriptures.Some congregations still hold a three-hour.He hanged on the cross.A typical service includes seven distinct elements representative of Christ's seven utterances while on the cross.Good Friday is a day of sincere reverence among Goan Catholics.It is the culmination of Lent,an important observance in the lives of devout Catholics.Lent is observed for 40 days from February to March, beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending on Good Friday followed by Ester Sunday.
The behind Easter originally Known as 'God's Friday' ,the present expression is believed to have emerged in the 10th or11th century.According to Christian legend, Jesus Christ was 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 Judas, one of his 12 apostles.On charges 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 priests, teachers of law and elders, and questioned about the charges against him.
Finding him guilty on all counts, they presented him before the Roman Governor.The Governor saw no reason to condemn him but the priests were adamant.They said that it was his teachings , which were responsible for all the riots in the city of Judea.At the same time, they pleaded for all the for 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, Jesus Christ was handed to them to decide his fate.The crowd asked for his crucifixion.As he was led away by the soldiers , he was made to wear a crown of thorns and mocking 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.In a show of solitary , a group of his followers marched in a procession behind him.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.Before he breathed his last, Jesus asked God, to forgive those who were responsible for his death , as they were unaware of the magnitude of their sin.Jesus is belived to have died qt 3 o'clock in the afternoon,there hours after having been nailed to the cross.
On Good Friday ,a cross, symbolic of the one on which Jesus was crucified ,is unveiled in many churches.It is belived that Jesus rose from his grave on the following Sunday, which is celebrated as Easter.The rituls for Good Friday begin on the preceding Thursday night.the end of this meal marks the beginning of the fast for Easter.
Good Friday Ceremony
After the mass ,the drucifi,which until this time has been kept from view, is now uncovered before the crowd
for veneration.A very sombre ceremony,the "Way of the Cross" is a re-enactment of the path Jesus took on Mount Calvery before the Crucifixion.In Panjim, which draws the the largest crowd, a large wooden cross-carried by an image of Jesus is taken from the church, down the steps, and through the streets of the town.It is carried by the clergymen while the crowd follows in two parallel lines in front and in back of the statue , mourning.Those not participating in the actual procession, look on from the roadsides, both Hindus and Christians alike.Sombre music played by a band accompanies the procession, which slowly winds its way through the main streets in Panjim before returning to the church.The mass and procession occur in every church in Goa, but the one in Panjim draws the largest crowd.
Good Friday Celebration
The celebration in Panjim with hundreds of devout Goan Catholics gather in the Church of Mary Immaculate Conception, to listen to the 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 at the doorways and in the premises, dressed in formal clothes bearing sombre looks.
