Words of Christ recited, mass held

Christians in Mysore remembered the crucifixion of Christ, which happened nearly 2,000 years ago, by taking part in special prayers organised at churches on Friday. 

The 180-year-old Bartholomew’s Church, the oldest church in old Mysore region; over 150-year-old Wesley Cathedral, and one of Asia’s tallest Churches – St Philomena’s Churches organised prayers to mark Good Friday – the Friday before Easter festival. Protestant and Roman Catholic congregations took part in prayers the whole day.

Protestants remembered seven sayings of Jesus Christ wherein one each preacher/priest recited Christ’s sayings between 12 noon and 3 pm in all protestant churches, while Catholic Christians remembered the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross during morning prayers. 

Pastors Vasanth Kumar, Devkumar, and Bishop of Mysore Dr Thomas Antony Vazhapilly led the prayers at Wesley Church, Bartholomew’s and St Philomena’s Churches, respectively.

At St Philomena’s Church Bishop led the special service during which the Holy Cross was venerated, afterwhich the film ‘Son of God’ was screened.

Suffering

Parish Priest Fr K A William said the prayer services generally go on the entire day. According to Holy Gospel, it is believed that Christ died on the cross at three in the afternoon. 

Hence many meditate, pray and read the gospel to commemorate the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross at that time. He mentioned that majority of Christians fast and pray on this day. 

On this day, Christians remember the words, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" - words that Christ is believed to have uttered before he was crucified. In the prayer service, the priest reads the gospel and chapters on the 'Passion of Christ' at length.

The period of mourning ends on Saturday with midnight mass, when Christians celebrate Easter, marking the resurrection of Christ.

On Saturday, Night Vigil Mass by Bishop will be celebrated at St Philomena’s Church at 10-30 p.m, and on Easter Sunday Holy Masses will be as on Sundays from 5-00 am.