A woman takes part in prayers on Good Friday at the Don Bosco Church on Empress Road, Lahore. Special prayers started at noon and ended at 3pm. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ/EXPRESS
LAHORE: Good Friday was observed by Christians across the globe and Pakistan was no exception.
The holy week for Christians, which started on Palm Sunday, finally reached Good Friday and prayers were held for three hours to commemorate the time Christ spent on the cross. The week will end on Easter Sunday at the culmination of 40 days of fasting.
To mark Good Friday, Christians gathered at churches and started their service at 12pm and it lasted till 3pm, the time Jesus Christ spent on the cross.
To commemorate his crucifixion and sacrifice, special prayers asking for the wellbeing of humanity were held.
Several churches also organised midnight services. A large service was held at the Cathedral Church on Mall Road where the congregation prayed for peace, love and brotherhood in the country and across the world.
Dean of the Cathedral, Shahid P Mehraj, led the service. Mehraj told The Express Tribune that the holy week is observed as part of the Paschal Triduum which starts on the Friday before Easter Sunday. “On this day, we commemorate Christ’s passion, suffering, and death on the cross.”
In his sermons, Mehraj emphasised the importance of religious tolerance, fraternity and brotherhood. He called on Christians to play a positive role in the country’s development and spread love and peace. The day before Friday is known as Maundy Thursday when Jesus Christ had the last supper with his companions.
Holy Communion or Eucharist also took place on Maundy Thursday when Christ was arrested, said Mehraj.
The dean said Christ willingly suffered and died as the ultimate sacrifice for sins of others. After three days, on Easter Sunday, Jesus was raised from the dead, Mehraj continued. He added this was regarded as his victory over sin and death, pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith.
Strict security measures were adopted by police. Personnel were deputed to protect worshippers and ways leading to the churches were blocked by putting up tent curtains.
Major congregations took place at Cathedral Church on Mall Road, St Andrews Presbytarian Church on Nabha Road, Neela Gumbad Church on Naulakha Church, Waris Road Church and Regal Chowk.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2017.
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