C

hristians across the country observed Good Friday with churches under tight security, especially in Jakarta.

Edwin, a Petamburan Church security guard on Jl. Arohmah, Petamburan, Central Jakarta, said on Friday that security coordination for the Good Friday Mass had been arranged the day before.

“[The church security] coordinated with police officers from Pejompongan Police, local residents, public order officers and military officers,” he said.

The Jakarta Cathedral Mass in Central Jakarta was reported to have run smoothly. Congregation members underwent bag checks before entering the church compound. An anti-bomb squad had searched the compound.

A police truck guarded Saint Theresia Church. Four police officers were deployed at the front gate.

“I come to this church every year. Today’s and other Masses are always secured, but I do admit that at Christmas or Easter celebrations police increase security,” congregation member William said.

In East Nusa Tenggara, thousands packed churches in Kupang.

The atmosphere was recognized as more tense compared to previous years due to the presence of fully equipped police personnel at churches following the discovery of explosives at the Christ Cathedral Church in Cihuni village, Gading Serpong, Tangerang. Despite that, Christians remained devoted to worship.

At the Masehi Injili di Timor (GMIT), Pniel Oebobo, Katedral Kristus Raja and several other churches in Kupang, Good Friday services were carried out at 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

GMIT synod leader Rev. Eben Nuban Timo said in his sermon that Christians and people in general should follow the examples of Jesus.

“People have become more egoistic. Even if they help each other they may be doing so with a personal agenda. Only a small number of people share their love sincerely. Jesus is the Son of God and is willing to die for anyone. He sacrificed himself for the salvation of everyone,” he said.

Thousands of worshippers have since Wednesday taken part in the Semana Santa procession concentrated at the Reinha Rosari Cathedral in Larantuka.

Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie was among worshippers joining the 501st Semana Santa ritual at the Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana chapels and Reinha Rosari Cathedral.

The ritual involved parading the Mother Mary and Jesus statues to the cathedral at 2 p.m. on Friday.

At night, the worshippers continued parading the statues through eight chapels in Kupang.

In Medan, North Sumatra, Christians visited the graves of their loved ones in the city. A resident on Jl. Terompet, Darwin Bangun, visited his mother’s grave at the Christian cemetery in Padang Bulan at 6 a.m. Darwin and his wife, Rosida Sembiring, then proceeded to church.

Darwin said visiting the grave of loved ones on Easter was a Christian tradition to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. He said the grave visits continued for three days.

— Yemris Fointuna and Apriadi Gunawan contributed to the report