Hundreds of Christian in the city participated in the ‘Good Friday Lent Services’ from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the exact time when Jesus hanging on the cross prayed ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit’ and gave up his Ghost. More than 30,000 Christians representing about 1,000 churches started off their services meditating on the historical significance of crucifying of Jesus Christ on an old rugged cross by the then Roman Government.
The clergy in the churches dwelt on the Seven Last Words uttered by Jesus, His trial by Pontius Pilate and His ultimate crucifixion. The precious words uttered include, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, weep for yourselves and your children, Today thou shall be with me in the paradise, I thirst, Behold thy mother and behold thy son and Father forgive them for they know not what they do’ etc.
Most Rev. Mallavarapu Prakash, Archibishop of Visakhapatnam diocese, in his Good Friday address said Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cruel cross provided salvation to human souls and eternal redemption to gain entry into paradise called heaven. He hoped that the message of Good Friday would redeem mankind from the clutches of the evil one and usher in universal peace.
Union Chapel senior pastor Rajesh Pakki said the message of Good Friday was one of forgiveness..
Earlier in the day, Infant Jesus Church in Seethammadara organised an impressive rally and re-enacted the scene of crucifixion with a believer disguised as Jesus carrying a huge cross and others dressed as Roman soldiers lashing the saviour with whips and the latter bleeding. The crucifixion scene drew the attention of the general public and was touching.
In tune with the public declaration of Jesus that he would rise from the grave on the third day, Jesus resurrection is celebrated as ‘Easter Festival’ on Sunday. Hundreds of the faithful would visit the graves of their departed ones in the wee hours of Sunday and decorate the graves with flowers to mark the victory of eternal life over death.
