Jamshedpur, March 25: The Christian community of the city observed Good Friday today with prayers and abstinence to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Christians also turned out in large numbers in churches to pray for redemption of humanity from sin.
On Good Friday, besides private sacrifices of fast and abstinence, there were community services in churches, including special prayers sessions. Thousands of devotees flocked to their respective churches to participate in the Good Friday service.
Churches in the city marked the day with subdued services, usually in the evening, wherein the crucifixion is remembered with solemn hymns, prayers of thanksgiving, a message-based on Messiah�s suffering for people�s sake.
Father David of Bishop House, Golmuri, said that Good Friday is not a tragedy, but a triumph in tragedy. It is an occasion wherein the Catholic faithful get an opportunity to look back, pray for humanity and rise to a new life.
�On this occasion people follow the example of Jesus Christ and keep fast on this day as according to one story � Christ fasted in desert to overcome the Evil One for forty days before the beginning of His teachings. This ends on �Lent� also known as �Good Friday� following the other day i.e. Easter Sunday,� he noted.
Father Peter went on to add that Christ died for the sins of others. He wanted to bring man closer to God. He may have been put to death physically but remained alive in spirit.
�Every year people turned out at churches for prayer. Jesus told his disciples that though he would be crucified, he would resurrect himself on the third day following his death. That is why the Sunday after Good Friday is marked by Easter celebrations and my message for that day is, love thy god, and love thy neighbor,� he noted.
On the other hand, Christians across the city is also gearing up to celebrate Easter Sunday by attending church early in the morning and ending the period of Lent with a sumptuous traditional breakfast.
Churches serve a piece of cake made of egg and milk to end the 40-day Lent period, during which most people forgo non-vegetarian food. The other delicacies include baked bananas, egg curry and stew made with mutton, chicken or vegetables.
�On this occasion, Easter eggs will be exchanged to symbolize the beginning of a new life by forgetting all sins,� noted Ronald Purty, a resident of Pursudih.
Good Friday is the culmination of the 40-day Lent period during which they abstained from meat, alcohol and sweets. Good Friday is observed during the Holy Week, which also includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Holy Saturday.