KOCHI: Long processions carrying the symbolic body of a tethered and dead Jesus Christ, filled the streets of Ernakulam on Friday, which was observed worldwide as Good Friday. The day marked the culmination of the 40-day Lent period, where thousands of faithful reminisce the sufferings and experiences of Christ which he had undergone prior to his death on the Cross.In Kaloor on Friday morning, church-goers flocked the streets. Morning mass began at 7 am. For the faithful, it was a day of mourning and melancholy and a chance to attend Church with their families. In the seven Orthodox Churches in the city, the service began at 6 am. In the Catholic Churches, the sound of mourning began at four in the evening. Long sermons were administered from Church pulpits.Keeping to the age-old ceremony, ‘The Way of the Cross’ began at 7 am from the St Francis Church at Kaloor, enroute the bus station, Azad Road, and back to the church on Kaloor-Kathrikadavu road. In St Martin’s Church, Palarivattom, the procession began at 5.30 am. The scenes were more or less the same at St Mary’s Church and St Antony’s Church, Kaloor. Recreation of the scenes of Christ’s sufferings, the mockery of people asking Jesus to prove himself as the ‘Son of God’ by coming down from his nailed position at the Cross were enacted. Bitter gall was given to the devotees during the ceremony.By 10 am, in most churches, the symbolic laying of Christ was held where his body was put to rest. The Cross which was covered two weeks ago as part of the Lent period, was uncovered during the night hours.
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