Published On : Fri, Mar 25th, 2016

Devoutness marked Christian brethren in observing Good Friday

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Holy Mass held in most Churches in Nagpur city

The Priest Father Vishal conducting the Holy Mass at St Francis -De-Sales Cathedral

The Priest Father Vishal conducting the Holy Mass at St Francis -De-Sales Cathedral


Nagpur
: Good Friday is one of the main Christian religious days which is observed by Christian brethren to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday. Being a Christian Holy day of solemn nature, most Christians of the city wear white coloured attires, and masses held from 12 pm to 3 pm in most churches of the city.

While speaking at the All Saints’ Cathedral, Brother Samson Gandhi said that just as the Seven Words from the cross are important, the fourteen stations are equally important.  They are

1.Jesus is condemned to death, 2. Jesus carries his cross, 3. Jesus falls the first time, 4. Jesus meets his mother, 5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross, 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus, 7. Jesus falls the second time, 8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, 9. Jesus falls the third time, 10. Jesus is stripped of his garments, 11 Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross, 12. Jesus dies on the cross, 13. Jesus is taken down from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation), 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Brother Samson while elaborating on the first word from the Cross “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”, he said that in those days, when the Roman Soldiers used to carry out the punishment given by the courts, it was an accepted behavior for the accused to shout profanities and abusive vulgar words. The two prisoners who were also nailed on the cross on each side of Jesus Christ did shout profanities. However, Jesus did not do so. All he said while addressing Father Almighty was “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. This was because the people did not know nor could they fathom the real purpose for the arrival of Christ in the world, his persecution, his crucifixion, his death and his resurrection.

The Choir of All Saints Cathedral singing hymns

The Choir of All Saints Cathedral singing hymns

Brother Samson claimed that in those days, the Roman Empire was one of the most advanced civilizations. They had a law and one of the best jurisprudence. Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome with excellent jurisprudence, yet the entire trial of Jesus Christ was a farce and eventually Pilot washed away his hands from the trial and giving his judgment since he did not find any wrongdoing by Jesus. It was a people’s trial and moved by the false accusations of the Chief Priests and Scribes, which led them to get Jesus Christ Crucified.

He then spoke about how one of the thieves scolded the other thief and said that we have committed crimes so we are being punished, but Jesus never committed any crime, and yet he is being crucified. Then addressing Jesus, he said that Lord Remember me when you come in your kingdom. Jesus immediately reacted and addressed the thief and said that And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. At that very instant, Jesus accepted him and permitted him access to paradise. Only because the thief acknowledged Jesus to the Son of God, Brother Samson Gandhi said that if only we acknowledge that Jesus Christ came into the world and was crucified on the cross for and by our sins, died and was resurrected, we shall be judged differently.

Reverend Arif Omar Sahab of 1840 Church

Reverend Arif Omar Sahab of 1840 Church

Brother Samson expounded on the seven words on the cross and the effectiveness of these words in our lives.

The First Word: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”
The Second Word: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise”
The Third Word: “Woman, behold your son. behold your mother”
The Fourth Word: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
The Fifth Word: “I thirst.”
The Sixth Word: “It is finished.”
The Seventh Word: “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit”

Brother Samson Gandhi delivering the message on Good Friday at All Saints Cathedral

Brother Samson Gandhi delivering the message on Good Friday at All Saints Cathedral

 

The Cross on the altar covered by a black cloth

The Cross on the altar covered by a black cloth

 

The Congregation of SFS Cathedral

The Congregation of SFS Cathedral

 

The Congregation of All Saints Cathedral on Good Friday

The Congregation of All Saints Cathedral on Good Friday

 

The Congregation of All Saints' Cathedral

The Congregation of All Saints’ Cathedral

 

The congregation of 1840 Church

The congregation of 1840 Church

 

The congregation of 1840 Agnes Memorial Church

The congregation of 1840 Agnes Memorial Church

By Samuel Gunasekharan
Pics by Amol Gajbhiye