New Delhi, April 3
Christians in the national capital observed Good Friday, which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, with prayers and fasts.

They began the day with fasting and visited churches across the city to offer prayers. Some even fast for around 40 days before Good Friday in keeping with tradition during the season of Lent.

"The day marks the death of Jesus Christ and we re-enact the entire episode within and around the church. It is only after this that people break the fast," Father Aires Furtado of Saint Cecilia Church told IANS.

One of the ceremonies of the day is the "Way of the Cross" - the 14 stations on Christ's Journey to Mount Calvary are re-enacted with the worshippers moving to each station.

"This day signifies the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for the sake of forgiveness of our sins. Today we mourn and relive in prayers the suffering Jesus went through before being crucified," Braden Silveira, an engineer, told IANS.

Annie Johnny, 27, said that many Christians give up things of their liking like alcohol and non-vegetarian food for 40 days.

"We break the fast only after attending the evening mass," Johnny told IANS.

According to Father Furtado the evening mass is held at 3 p.m. and it is sees the maximum attendance.

"This time is important because we believe that it is when Jesus died," he said.

Kerala churches observe Good Friday

 Good Friday was observed in churches across Kerala on Friday with the laity turning up in huge numbers.

Good Friday is observed as a day of prayers, penance and fasting to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Incidentally, the mass on Good Friday is the longest of all the various masses that Christians have in their religious calendar.

While in some churches, the Good Friday mass begins around 8.30 a.m and ends around 1 pm, in the Orthodox and Jacobite churches, it ends after 2 p.m.

Among the key religious ceremonies listed for the day in churches is the 'Way of the Cross' - the 14 stations on Christ's Journey to Mount Calvary from Pilate's palace are re-enacted with the worshippers moving to each station singing hymns as the story of the betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Christ is narrated by the priest.

The second significant ritual that takes place in all churches is the customary drinking of 'choruka' (a decoction made of bitter gourd juice and vinegar) by all.

When the Good Friday mass reaches its last lap, the priest pours out a spoon of 'choruka' into the mouth of each and every person who has come for the mass.

This symbolises the cry a crucified Jesus made just before he died, and how some of those watching took a piece of cloth, dipped it in cheap wine, put it on a piece of stick, lifted it to his mouth and tried to make him drink.

Another important ritual is the drinking of 'kanji' (the steaming hot gruel made with rice) immediately after the mass ends.

Kanji with pulses and pickle is served to all and elaborate arrangements are made in the churches for its preparation. Drinking this is considered a holy act.

Christians account for around 23 percent of Kerala's 33 million population.

Photo below: The GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES at ST.THOMAS MALANKARA CATHOLIC CHURCH WEST DELHI. Services were led by RT. REV. FR. PHILIP VAZHAKUNNATHU , REV.FR, SAM PATHAKKAL