Good Friday observed in Delhi with prayers

New Delhi, April 3: Christians in the national capital observed Good Friday, which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, with prayers and fasts.

They began the day with fasting and visited churches across the city to offer prayers. Some even fast for around 40 days before Good Friday in keeping with tradition during the season of Lent.

"The day marks the death of Jesus Christ and we re-enact the entire episode within and around the church. It is only after this that people break the fast," Father Aires Furtado of Saint Cecilia Church told IANS.

One of the ceremonies of the day is the "Way of the Cross" - the 14 stations on Christ's Journey to Mount Calvary are re-enacted with the worshippers moving to each station.

"This day signifies the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for the sake of forgiveness of our sins. Today we mourn and relive in prayers the suffering Jesus went through before being crucified," Braden Silveira, an engineer, told IANS.

Annie Johnny, 27, said that many Christians give up things of their liking like alcohol and non-vegetarian food for 40 days.

"We break the fast only after attending the evening mass," Johnny told IANS.

According to Father Furtado the evening mass is held at 3 p.m. and it is sees the maximum attendance.

"This time is important because we believe that it is when Jesus died," he said.

IANS