CHRISTIANS MARK CRUCIFIXION
Christians around the country joined the world yesterday to mark Good Friday as the beginning of the long Easter weekend.
Many churches around the country held re-enactments about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a traditional part of each Good Friday church service. The resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday marks the Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead.
St Piux X Parish
In the Central Division, St Pius X Parish in Raiwaqa was one of the churches that held a dramatic re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion. The drama, which is traditionally called a ‘passion play’ was performed by the parish youths.
Church member Alex Edwards said: “It means a whole lot of things for me personally, as a Christian it means that we have a place in heaven which is promised to us by Christ.
“By dying on the cross for us He has taken away the sin and then allowed us an entry into heaven. For a person to sacrifice his life for the whole world it means so much to all the Christians around the world.”
Holy Family Parish
In the Northern Division, students of Holy Family Secondary School gathered at Holy Family Parish Catholic Church in Labasa to celebrate Easter on Thursday. The school also performed a passion play for the church congregation.
The school’s history teacher, Epi Raikivi, said the students prepared a drama to portray the life of Mary, mother of Jesus.
“Mary stood up in the crowd and wept as she saw her son crucified on the cross,” he said.
“The Catholics always focus more on the life of Mary as she was the one who wrapped his son’s dead body. Then Jesus was placed in a tomb and after three days rose again.”
Year 1O student Varanisese Nainima said she grew emotional seeing how a mother bore the pain of watching her son being killed.
Year 12 student Vikatore Foli said: “It is very exciting to see how characters from different classes re-enact what actually happened to Jesus.”
More than 200 students and parents were present yesterday.
Bethel Full Gospel Church
In the Western Division, Bethel Full Gospel Church pastor Anil Reddy preached that Easter was about unity.
“People of different religious groups must get together and celebrate Easter,” he said.
In addition to a drama, the youths from the church also performed a dance and sang songs to mark the season.
Pastor Reddy said: “For the last two months our Sunday Class students had been preparing for this day.
“God had sent his son Jesus, to save us from our sins. Jesus died for us so that people on this earth can live on this earth with righteous lives. So we are remembering and thanking the Lord.”
Pastor Reddy is calling on youths to take some time out and attend church to know and thank the Lord Jesus.
Edited by Jonatahn Bryce
