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Good Friday Goa|Good Friday and Easter
Location Throughout Goa
Following Festival After Two Days
Easter
Good Friday is a day of sincere reverence among Goan Catholics. It is the culmination of Lent, an important observance in the lives of devout Catholics. Lent is observed for 40 days from February to March, beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending on Good Friday followed by Easter Sunday.
The Legend Behind Easter
Originally known as 'God's Friday', the present expression is believed to have emerged in the 10th or 11th century. According to Christian legend, Jesus Christ was from Nazareth, a town in modern Israel. A well-loved and respected citizen, he was considered by many to be the Son of God.
Some high officials and Jewish priests, however, felt that he was trying to usurp their authority and mislead the people. They hatched a plot against Christ with the help of one of his 12 apostles, named Judas. On charges of misleading the people, of instigating them not to pay taxes to the emperor, and of claiming to be the messenger of God, they arrested Christ. The following day, he was produced before a council comprising priests, teachers of law and elders, and questioned about the charges against him.
Finding him guilty on all counts, they presented him before the Roman Governor, who saw no reason to condemn him. But the priests were adamant. They insisted that it was his teachings, which were responsible for all the riots in the city of Judea. At the same time, they pleaded for the release of one of their men, who had been imprisoned for the crime. The Governor appealed to them, reiterating that Christ had done no wrong. When the clergy did not agree, he handed Jesus Christ to them to do as they wished. The crowd asked for his crucifixion.
As he was led away by the soldiers, he was made to wear a crown of thorns and mockingly addressed as 'King of the Jews' by the jeering crowd. A huge wooden cross was placed on his shoulders, and he carried it to the place assigned for his crucifixion. In a show of solidarity, a group of his followers marched in a procession behind him. Two criminals were also led to the same place to be put to death with Jesus. At the assigned place, the three men were nailed to the crosses and left to die. Before he breathed his last, Jesus asked God, his father, to forgive those who were responsible for his death, as they were unaware of the magnitude of their sin. Jesus is believed to have died at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, three hours after being nailed to the cross.
On Good Friday, a cross, symbolic of the one on which Jesus was crucified, is unveiled in many churches. It is believed that Jesus rose from his grave on the following Sunday, which is celebrated as Easter. The rituals for Good Friday begin on the preceding Thursday. A feast symbolising the last supper of Christ is held on Thursday night. The end of this meal marks the beginning of the fast for Easter.
The Celebrations
The Celebrations In Panjim, hundreds of devout Goan Catholics gather in the Panjim Church of Mary Immaculate Conception to listen to mass and participate in the Way of the Cross. During the afternoon sermon, the priests narrate the sufferings that Jesus Christ took upon himself for the sake of humanity. The mass is in Konkani, Goa's state language, attracts a crowd too large for the church itself, and people stand in the doorways and in the premises, dressed in formal clothes with somber countenance.
The Ceremony
After the mass, the crucifix, which until this time has been kept from view, is now uncovered before the crowd for veneration. A very somber ceremony, "the Way of the Cross" is a reenactment of the path Jesus took on Mount Calvary before the Crucifixion. In Panjim, which draws the largest crowd, a large wooden cross carried by an image of Jesus is taken from the church, down the steps, and through the streets of the town. It is carried by the clergymen while the crowd follows in two parallel lines in front of and in back of the statue, some weeping and all with very solemn faces.
Those not participating in the actual procession look on from the roadsides, both Hindus and Christians alike. Somber music played by a band accompanies the procession, which slowly winds its way through the main streets in Panjim before returning to the church. The mass and procession occur in every church in Goa, but the one in Panjim draws the largest crowd.
Initially called as 'God's Friday', the present aspect is believed to have emerged in the 10th or 11th century On Good Friday, a cross, stands for the one on which Jesus was crucified, is revealed in many churches. It is believed that Jesus rose from his grave on the following Sunday, which is celebrated as Easter. The rituals for Good Friday start on the leading Thursday. A feast representing the last supper of Christ is held on Thursday night. The end of this meal displays the beginning of the fast for Easter. Good Friday is a day of sincere respect and awe among Goan Catholics.
When does it fall?
Good Friday is a special day celebrated by the Christians. It falls towards the end of the Holy Week and marks Jesus's resurrection. Good Friday occurs between the March 20th and April 23rd for the decade (2001 to 2010). The most popular church of Panaji, the church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, is elegantly decorated and thousands of people gather there to pay tributes and take part in the events going on in the church.
Origination of The Festivity
Earlier, only Easter Sunday was celebrated as a holy day by the Christian Church. By the fourth century, each day of the week preceding Easter were established as holy days including Good Friday. It is believed that "Good" represents the good gift of salvation brought forth by martyrdom. From the earliest times the Christians kept every Friday as a feast day. In the Eastern orthodox Churches, it is known as the "Great Friday".
Celebrations Held
Innumerable Goan Catholics flock in the Panjim Church of 'Mary Immaculate Conception' to listen to mass and participate in the Way of the Cross. During the afternoon sermon, the priests recount the agonies that Jesus Christ took upon himself for the sake of humanness. The sermons in konkani language attract a large crowd standing on the threshold are attired in formal clothes. After the mass, the rood is uncovered before the crowd for reverence. Panjim attracts the largest crowd in Goa. A large wooden cross carrying an image of Jesus is taken from the church and moved through the streets of the town. It is acquitted by the clergymen, while the crowd abides by two parallel lines in front of and at back of the statue, some weeping and all with very sedate faces.
The ones who do not participate are free to have a look of the procession from the roadside. Sober music played by a band accompanies the procession, which slowly turns its way through the main streets in Panjim before returning back to the church. The flock and procession occur in every church in Goa, but the one in Panjim draws the biggest crowd. Hence, Good Friday is observed as a day of sorrow, grieving and fasting.
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