TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Christian community in Goa observed Good Friday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Churches across the capital and the State held Good Friday services and some of the sermons reflected the community’s concerns over recent attacks on churches all over the country as well as the rape of an elderly nun in Kolkata.
In many of the churches, services started as early as 3 pm. Archbishop Emeritus Raul Gonsalves, who led the service at the Archbishop’s Palace chapel in Altinho, said there is no mass on Good Friday and added that the service helps reflect on the passion and sufferings of Christ.
On Good Friday the Church holds a special liturgy focusing on the Passion and a reading of the Passion from the Gospel of John is taken followed by the sermon and intercessory prayers.
The second part is the veneration of the Cross and the service concludes with the distribution of Holy Communion.
In most churches of Goa the statue of Christ is taken down from the cross and then taken in a procession along with the statue of Mother Mary.
Easter, which marks the resurrection of Christ from the dead, will be celebrated on
April 5.
