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Jakarta Post

Ceremony: Good Friday observed solemnly

Christians across the country observed Good Friday to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ

Djemi Amnifu and Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post)
Kupang/Semarang
Sat, April 4, 2015 Published on Apr. 4, 2015 Published on 2015-04-04T09:52:11+07:00

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C

hristians across the country observed Good Friday to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. Good Friday celebrations began on Thursday.

In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), thousands of Christians were seen flocking to churches in the region to join the Cross Way procession, the White Thursday masses and the Holy Communion procession on Friday.

Head of the Evangelical Church Synod in Timor (GMIT), priest Robert Litelnoni, called on Christians in the region not to consider Good Friday as simply a ceremony.

He said a human'€™s love was limited but Christ'€™s love was endless and infinite. '€œHe has bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we, the sinful, could live for the truth. With His weal, you are healed,'€ Robert told the congregation at the Kota Baru Church in Kupang on Friday.

He said the death of Jesus as God in the form of a human was payment enough for the sins of humans.

Therefore, he called on Christians to take Jesus as an example by loving others. This, he said, was indeed difficult, but as followers of Christ, they had to be able to face all challenges.

Separately, chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council'€™s (MUI) NTT branch, Abdul Kadir Makarim, wished Christians in NTT and the whole of Indonesia well during their Easter celebrations, scheduled for Sunday.

'€œMay Easter give spirit and offer an example for all of us to maintain good relationships,'€ he said.

He specifically expressed his appreciation of interfaith tolerance in NTT that had led to harmony in the community. '€œThis should be maintained such that it will not be easily destroyed in irresponsible hands,'€ he said.

NTT Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Santosa expressed similar thoughts. '€œThe security condition so far is relatively conducive. We will place two police personnel in each church with backup from military personnel,'€ Agus said.

In Semarang, Central Java, Catholic youths at the Cathedral Church Parish performed a drama on the crucifixion of Jesus as part of the church'€™s Good Friday celebration.

Hundreds of Catholics enjoyed the drama, which began with the arrest of Jesus by Roman soldiers followed by Saint Peter'€™s denial of Jesus, the trial by Pontius Pilate and the crucifixion.

'€œI always come here every Good Friday to enjoy the drama. The Catholic youths here always perform the drama,'€ Petrus Setyadi, a worshiper, said at the Cathedral Church on Friday.

Easter celebrations in Semarang were conducted in every church in the city.

On Thursday, to commemorate Jesus'€™ last communion with his 12 apostles, father FX Tirta Dewantara washed the feet of four Catholics during the White Thursday mass at the Santo Mikael Church, copying what Jesus did to his apostles.

The first mass service at this particular church on Thursday was given in English as many people who congregated were from foreign countries.

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