Good Friday
Description:
According to legend, Jesus Christ was from Nazareth. Loved and respected by the people, he was revered by many as the Son of God. But some of the powerful and the clergy believed that he was trying to shake their power and mislead the people. Then they plotted against Christ with the help of one of the 12 apostles, named Judas.
Accusing Jesus of inciting the people not to pay taxes to the emperor and claiming to be a messenger of God, he was arrested. The next day he appeared before the court of the Council, which consisted of influential citizens and representatives of the clergy. Finding him guilty, the Council sent Jesus to the trial of the Roman ruler, who found him innocent. But succumbing to pressure from the clergy, the ruler left his fate to the crowd of people. The crowd decided to be crucified.
Christ was taken into custody by soldiers, a wreath of thorns was put on his head, and a huge wooden cross was forced to carry on his shoulders to the place of execution. Two criminals were also sent there. At the designated location, three people were nailed to crosses and left to die. Before his last breath, Jesus asked God, his father, to forgive all those responsible for his death, because they did not know what they were doing.
On Good Friday, the cross, the symbol of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, is displayed in many churches.
In Panjima, the capital of the state of Goa, hundreds of true believers come to the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary to listen to mass and take part in the “Route of the Cross”. During the afternoon sermon, the priests remember the earthly sufferings of Christ. Mass is celebrated in Konkani, the language of Goa, which attracts many people.
Upon completion of the Mass, the crucifixion, which until then had been concealed, is carried out for veneration. A huge wooden cross is carried depicting the suffering of Jesus. From the church, the procession moves on, passing through the streets of the city. Those who do not participate in the procession are simply spectators. The procession is accompanied by sad music performed by the orchestra. Masses and processions take place in every church in the state of Goa, but only in Panjima are very crowded.