Dimapur, April 15 (EMN): Christians across Nagaland celebrated the Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s passion, crucifixion and death. Church communities across the state marked the day with devotionals and prayers.
Catholics marked the day with fasting and “abstinence,” according to a press release from a catholic church that was received here on Saturday. The main services were held in the afternoon, usually around noon or midday to 3.00 pm, remembering the hours when Jesus hung on the cross.
SFS observes Good Friday
Joining the rest of the world, thousands of people from all faith of life walked through the streets of Kohima to mark Good Friday here at the state’s capital of Nagaland.
Parishioners from St. Francis-de-Sales (SFS) Parish in Kohima town came out and travelled through the town's centre on Friday by participating in the Way of the Cross procession and commemorated the crucifixion of Jesus.
Amidst a warm sky and sunny temperature, the Way of the Cross, a 14-part ceremony that depicts the Passion and Death of the Christ was held, starting from the Old MLA Hostel junction at 1:00 PM proceeding to Kohima local ground later. The believers stopped every few feet listening to the scripture, singing hymns and praying.
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Members of the St. Francis-de-Sales Parish taking a procession on Good Friday in Kohima town.[/caption]
The ceremony culminated at Kohima local ground with the Eucharistic celebration.
Also, parishioners of Mary Help of Christian observed the day with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, as the main celebrant, a press release from the Kohima church said. During the programme, Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General of Diocese of Kohima, was said to have spoken about the historical development of the way of the cross.
The press release quoted him as having said that the “the fourteen station” of Jesus’ way of the cross in Jerusalem “illustrates into our way of cross in our lives.” He urged faithful to focus on the passion of Jesus Christ with “meditative prayers.”
"The way of the cross was conducted outside the church going through the fourteen stations of the cross after which the community went into the Church to have day’s liturgy: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and the Service of Communion,” ,the press release stated.
Likewise, in a short homily, the bishop referred to the film “The Passion” by Mel Gibson, which depicts the passion of Jesus in a dramatic way. “Some people who see the film are touched very deeply wand even cry seeing the excruciating suffering of Jesus. Some others are not touched at all,” the press release explained.
“Those who are moved by the film are people who know the identity and mission of Jesus and what he has done for humans. Others who are not moved by the suffering of Jesus do not know who Jesus is,” it stated.
For St. Paul the Cross of Christ will be 'foolishness to the gentiles and a stumbling block to the Jews; but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. The bishop exhorted the community to make the cross the real saving power of God, by accepting our little crosses with faith and joy, the press release stated.
The homily was followed by prayers “with ten different intentions” after which there was the “veneration of the cross,” the organisers stated.
The press release was appended by Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima.
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St Xavier’s Catholic Church in Kidima observed programs remembering the Last Supper and that of the crucifixion of the Christ.[/caption]
The St Xavier’s Catholic Church in Kidima under the Diocese of Kohima observed programs remembering the Last Supper of the Lord with his 12 Apostles and that of the crucifixion of the Christ. The programme was observed with Parish Priest Reverend Father Thomas Muttathil on Thursday night and Good Friday, the 13th and 14th of April, in the premises of the church.
Updates on Saturday informed that Reverend Father Thomas Muttathil addressed the event on Thursday saying that the day was of “both sadness and happiness that Jesus himself had the Last Supper with his Apostles and set the bread and wine into his own body and blood and made the faithful worthy to celebrate with priest.”
On Good Friday, “Way of the Cross was performed as Jesus carried his cross to Calvary for crucifixation for people’s salvation. Father Thomas Muttathil said help, peace and become brothers and sisters were through Jesus Christ.”
“Veneration of the cross by the faithful was paying homage for the Lord sacrifice his life for us. Communion service, adoration, and mediation were the highlights of the holy week for the Last Supper and Good Friday,” the press release added.
