Good Friday celebrated all over India

New Delhi/Mumbai, Maharashtra/Kochi, April 10 (ANI): Devout Christians and others marked Good Friday in various parts of India.

Christians marked Good Friday by partaking in the morning mass in churches and taking out processions to mark the crucification of Jesus Christ.

Many non-Christians too participated in the mass services and prayed for universal peace and prosperity.

In New Delhi, special prayer services were held in which a large number of devotees attended the church rituals.

"We call it Good Friday, Good because on this day, Lord Jesus did a great deed. He sacrificed Himself for the humanity, for all of us," said Father Joseph, a parish priest in New Delhi.

In Kochi and Maharashtra, processions were also taken out at some places.

Pastor priests accompanied by other clergy members conducted the mass prayers. This is the day in the history, recorded as the day when Jesus Christ was crucified.

According to Christian theology, Good Friday, also called Holy Friday, Great Friday or Black Friday is a religious event observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Golgotha hill.

"Good Friday is the day when Lord Jesus was crucified. He laid down His life for the whole of humanity. Atrocities were being committed in the name of religion. People were being looted. Jesus told them that this was not a good thing. True religion lies in our hearts. And whoever serves humanity, serves God," said Jacob Martin, a participant in the procession in Mumbai.

Christians across Kerala, a small coastal state of South India, today observed Good Friday by partaking morning mass in churches.

At the St. Mary's Basilica, Ernakulam and St. Thomas Jacobite Church near Kochi devotees in large number attended the church rituals and later take out procession holding small cross around the church.

Chief priests accompanied by other clergy took charge of the day and helped devotees in following their adoration.

For Christians all over the world, Good Friday commemorates the act that brought salvation to all who believe in Him.

Good Friday is the culmination of the Lent for the Roman Catholics as well as the Holy Week which observed on Palm Sunday, and it takes place two days before the Easter Sunday that is being celebrated this year on April 12 throughout the world. (ANI)