A day of solemn reflection as Christians observe Good Friday
KUCHING: Thousands of Christians flocked to churches here yesterday to observe Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and death.
Many churches held services at 3pm, which Christians believe is the time Christ died on the cross.
At St Peter’s Catholic Church in Padungan, churchgoers started to congregate as early as 12.30pm for the service.
Attended by more than 3,000, the service was divided into three parts: Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.
The church’s altar was bare, with no candles, flowers or altar frontal, as it was a solemn day marked by reflection and fasting.
Meanwhile at St Thomas’ Cathedral, Anglicans began the day with Morning Prayer, Litany, Good Friday Liturgy and Veneration of the Cross at 6.45am and 8.15am, and a service in Mandarin at 10.30am.
This was followed by the Stations of the Cross, led by the Very Reverend Michael Buma Galami, the cathedral’s dean.
Some 1,500 went on the hour-long procession around the compound in the noonday heat where images denoting the 14 stations had been placed.
Prayers were said and hymns were sung at each of the stations, which follow the route Jesus Christ travelled as he carried his cross to Mount Calvary where he was crucified.
The stations began with Pilate condemning Jesus to death and ended with Jesus’ body being placed in the tomb.
Services at the cathedral ended with Evening Prayer with sermon and hymns at 4pm.
Tonight, the Great Easter Vigil and Renewal of Baptismal Vows at the cathedral will begin at 8pm with the lighting of the Paschal Candle.
Tomorrow – Easter Sunday – there will be Holy Communion with hymns at 6.30am, followed by Procession and Solemn Liturgy at 8.15am, Holy Communion in Mandarin at 10.30am, and Evening Prayer with Holy Communion and Procession at 5.30pm.
Meanwhile at Trinity Methodist Church, Jalan Ellis, a congregation of more than 2,000 packed the church to reflect on the Passion of Christ through a play that depicted Jesus’ trial, suffering and death.
After the service ended, parishioners gathered for a simple breaking of the fast with bread.
Tomorrow will see the celebration of Easter or Resurrection Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ resurrection and victory over death and sin.