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April 6, 2007 Good Friday Observed with Silent Mourning New Delhi A day of mourning and silent prayer, Good Friday was observed by Christians all over the country solemnly, commemorating the suffering, penance and the final crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Good Friday falls during Lent, the period of 40 days of fasting which Christ observed in the desert before returning to Jerusalem where he was welcomed as the king of the Jews. Fearing his popularity, the rulers of the kingdom plotted his death with the help of his disciple Judas. To re-live the suffering that Christ went through, Christians observe fasts on Good Friday and have a simple vegetarian meal only once in the day. "We are fasting today and will have a modest meal constituting of probably rice gruel some time during the day. We won't eat dinner at night," said Hamish John of Kerala. "Although most Christians are non-vegetarians, on Good Friday the meal, whatever little that is had, is strictly vegetarian. Some people even avoid milk and other dairy products on this day," said Elizabeth Martin of Delhi. People flocked to the churches to attend prayer services which generally go on from noon till 3 p.m. "Prayer services generally last till 3 p.m. because it is believed that Christ died on the cross at three in the afternoon. Hence, for three hours we meditate, pray and read the gospel to commemorate the suffering of Christ on the cross at that time," said Joel Joseph of Andhra Pradesh. However, it's not necessary that all services begin and end at the same time. "It depends on the church you are attending the service in. I went for a Malayalam prayer service and it started at eight in the morning," said Martin. The service is very elaborate, with the priest reading the gospel and the chapters on the 'Passion of Christ' at length. There are 14 events highlighted in the gospel from the time Christ is condemned to death till the time he is buried. Symbolising the events, 14 pictures are kept in all churches where people pay their tributes. "Other than the pictures, we also repeat the seven words, or rather sentences, which Christ had uttered before he fell and pay our tribute to him. The first words he uttered were 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do'," said Joseph. In some places like Kerala, churches also keep a piece of wood in the shape of the cross, which people kiss after the service. The period of Lent or suffering ends on Easter, the Sunday after Good Friday when Christ was believed to have risen from death. Easter, hence, is a joyous occasion. "My kids eagerly wait for Easter because they get to dress in their best fineries, enjoy a sumptuous feat and basically have a fun-filled day," said Martin. Since the period of fasting ends on Easter, the meals are grand and almost royal. "Duck roasts, red wine and sometimes turkey, dominate the table other than the variety of culinary items prepared for this occasion," said Joseph. Easter celebrations begin as early as 3 a.m. since Christ is said to have been resurrected at the break of dawn. After mass in the church, day-long celebrations and feasting follow. Rituals like distributing colourfully painted Easter eggs are popular on this day throughout the country and the world over. Hardboiled and salted, the egg symbolises a new life. Kids especially love this ritual because they are meant to find these colourful eggs, supposedly hidden by the Easter Bunny. These days, confectionary items like hollow chocolates in the shape of an egg and plastic eggs filled with jellybeans are becoming popular in the market as well. IANS | April 6, 2007 |
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