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Millions mark Good Friday
Millions of Christians nationwide observed Good Friday in solemnity, commemorating the Passion and death of Jesus Christ in various ways
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Millions of Christians nationwide observed Good Friday in solemnity, commemorating the Passion and death of Jesus Christ in various ways.
In many churches, the important religious event was observed with sermons, reflections and Holy Mass.
In others, Christians reenacted the Passion of Christ in a theatrical performance either in church or in longer outdoor processions.
The Passion of Christ refers to the events before and during the death of Jesus. The procession begins with his arrest, carries through his trial, and ends with his crucifixion alongside two criminals.
In numerous churches in Java and in predominantly Christian provinces such as East Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi and Papua, Catholics observed Good Friday by reenacting the crucifixion story in open spaces to help them imagine and reflect on the religious event.
"This is the 25th time we have commemorated the crucifixion by dramatizing it. This way of commemorating the event is more solemn than a mere procession and watching Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ," said a churchgoer at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kupang.
In Semarang and Magelang, both in the Semarang Archdiocese, the performance started at the church and ended with the crucifixion on a hilltop.
According to Djoko Sujono, an influential layman at St. Theresia Church in Bongsari, Semarang, Javanese customs have replaced the older European ones, as many adherents protested because Javanese people are not as cruel as those in the crucifixion story.
The reenactment of the crucifixion was also conducted peacefully in a Catholic church in Banda Aceh, capital of the "Mecca Veranda" Aceh province, Antara news agency reported.
Large cities and urban areas were relatively quiet, as most people stopped their daily activities. Christians went to church and stayed home to continue their 40-day fast while the Muslim majority continued their long weekend, which began with the celebration of Prophet Muhammad's birthday on Thursday.
In Manado, North Sulawesi, Muslim youths participated in enhancing security during the Good Friday commemorations in almost all churches in the city, demonstrating improved religious tolerance and cooperation among religious communities in the province.
Good Friday is the third day observed in the Holy Week, which peaks Easter Sunday when the Christian community celebrates Jesus' resurrection from the dead. The first two are Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' return to Jerusalem, and Maundy Thursday, with the Last Supper.
