Churches Gear Up for Good Friday Services
Many Catholic churches will organise Passion Plays followed by Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in the evening.
Hyderabad: Churches across the city are finalising preparations for Good Friday, which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. with day-long prayer, fasting and reflection.
Many congregations are focusing on the traditional “three‑hour service” from noon to 3 pm. “Those hours mark the agony of the Cross; we meditate on the seven last words of Christ,” said Rev. C.G. Dayanand, chairman of the Board of Ministries, Hyderabad Regional Conference of Methodist Churches in India.
At St Mary’s Basilica, there will be a Passion Play at 7 am by parish youth followed by Way of the Cross and meditation on the Seven Words of Christ on the Cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!”; This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise”; “Woman, behold thy son”; “My God! My God! Why hast thou forsaken Me?”; “I thirst”, “It is finished”; and “Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit”.
Many Catholic churches will organise Passion Plays followed by Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in the evening.
At the Baptist Church in Narayanguda, Rev. David P. Gollapalle reflected on the paradox of the occasion: “If it was ‘Good’ Friday, why did so many bad things occur? The day is ‘good’ because Jesus came to save humankind.”
Long-time worshippers also anticipate a brief atmospheric dimming between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm, echoing biblical accounts of darkness at Jesus’ death. “Every year we notice the sky change at that hour,” said Rev. Dr D.H. Paul of the Board of Ecumenism. Korani Yesu Das, 74, recalls seeing the phenomenon “since my teens.”
Church bells will toll at 3 pm, when congregations observe a moment of silence to honour Christ’s sacrifice and the hope of new life it represents.
Major city churches expect full houses:
· CSI Wesley Church, Clock Tower: Continuous service 9 am to 3 pm, led by Rev. Dr. B. Wilson.
· St George’s Church, Abids: Matins at 9 am; Rev. Dr P. Solomon Raj will preach on the Seven Sayings.
· CSI All Saints, Trimulgherry: Worship begins at noon.
· Fusion Church, Madhapur: Good Friday message at 11 am by Rev. Vuppula Ebenezer.
· St Mary’s Basilica: Passion Play by parish youth at 7 am. Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 6 pm.
