Fasting, prayers mark Good Friday in Udupi district

Fasting and day-long prayer services in churches marked Good Friday in the district. Devotees congregated in large numbers in various churches across the district. Udupi Diocese Bishop Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo took part in the religious ceremony organised at Milagres Cathedral in Kallianpur. Rector Fr Stany B Lobo too was present.

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

Solemn processions
Good Friday started with the Way of the Cross in all the churches. Some churches like Pangla, Barkur, Kundapur, Sasthan, Kolalgiri and other held solemn processions, with a life-size statue of Jesus in prayerful worship.

The solemn church liturgy on Good Friday included the dramatised reading of the ‘Passion of the Cross’ from the Gospel of St John, followed by the veneration of the Cross and finally, the distribution of communion.

With the completion of Good Friday, Christians prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.