A walk to some of the Good Friday observances in the world..

Do you know that not all countries observe Good Friday as holiday? Only 120 out of 195 countries in the world celebrate Good Friday. Not bad as percentage, right?

But, as you know, we all have different ways of celebrating this momentous event. Below are some of the prominent ones in the world which may be worth discovering when you have a chance to travel: (click on images to direct you to example video of each rite)

1. Calvary Walk in Jerusalem - TheVia Dolorosa(Latin for "Sorrowful Way", often translated "Way of Suffering") is a processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem, believed to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. The winding route from the former Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre— a distance of about 600 metres (2,000 feet)— is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage. The current route has been established since the 18th century, replacing various earlier versions. It is today marked by nine station of the cross; there have been fourteen stations since the late 15th century, with the remaining five stations being inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. (wikipedia).

2. Passion of Christ in London - The play is a staging of Jesus' passion, covering the short final period of his life from his visit to Jerusalem and leading to his execution by crucifixion.

The main provider of this popular play "Wintershall Players" will broadcast the Passion of Jesus through their Facebook Page at 12 and 3 pm. The live stream will re-create the Passion through pre-recorded excerpts of rehearsals from their Passion Play 2020 (and of previous years) together with excerpts of Passion performances from the other cities and towns taking part in the "One Good Friday 2020".

Watch it at: www.facebook.com/Wintershallplay

3. Moriones in Marinduque - Moriones Festival is a folk-religious event held annually during holy week on the island of Marinduque, considered the geographical heart of the Philippines.

The word “Morion” refers to the visor of the helmet that is associated with the armor of Roman soliders.  The  word “Moriones” refers to the local inhabitants who dress up in costumes and masks of Roman soldiers during Biblical times. These costumed locals are farmers and fishermen who engage in the street theater as a form of penitence.

For seven days, from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday, the masked and costumed Moriones march around town scaring children and making a ruckus in a reenactment of the search for Longinus, the Roman centurion who pierced the side of the crucified Christ.

In the Bible, Longinus was blind in one eye, but the blood that spurted out of Christ’s side reached his eye and fully restored his sight. The miracle converted Longinus to Christianity, but he was scorned by his fellow centurions who ended up murdering him.

The locals’ reenactment of the Biblical story climaxes on Easter Sunday, when Longinus is beheaded. (Source: tagaloglang.com)

4. La Danza de la Muerte in Verges - procession for the Passion of Christ with its own and original features which has aroused the interest of a considerable number of visitors in the small village in Spain. This celebration attracts number of people around the world due to these two features : (1) Street of Snails and the (2) Dance of Death.

The first feature is a narrow alley which the residents equip with improvised oil lamps made using snail shells. The empty shells are attached to the wall using home-made cement made from ash kept over the winter, filled with oil and then they have a wick applied. This lighting provides the ideal atmosphere for the procession which takes place along the village streets.

The other feature is the dance performance which was at the church's initiative during the Early Middle Ages with the pedagogical objective of conveying the unavoidable fact of death during an era characterised by wars and plagues. Verges Dance of Death inherited this tradition and it has been held since time immemorial.(Source: Catalunya.com)

5. Flying kites in Bermuda - Good Friday to most Bermudians is about flying kites on the beaches, enjoying festive atmosphere and having traditional codfish breakfast and cake. Bermudians make different kinds of kites of various sizes and shapes. Most of them are hexagonal (with 6 sides) or octagonal (8 sides) in shape. 

So why do the Bermudians fly kites on Good Friday and not on other days? The legend says that a local teacher was trying to explain to his students during his Sunday school how Jesus elevated himself to Heaven by self power, i.e. about Christ's Ascension. Since he could not convince the students, he launched a kite that looked like Jesus Christ to explain the matter. 

6. Alfombras in Guatemala - Good Friday is celebrated in Guatemala with a procession that mirrors the 14 Stations of the Cross. Constructed the evening before, the Alfombras (or elaborate carpet) line the path of the Good Friday procession. The creation of the alfombras symbolizes their devotion to their faith. Thus it is no surprise that the construction typically takes hours, whereas in places such as Antigua it can take the entire night. Alfombras used during the Good Friday procession are typically made of sawdust, sand, flowers or fruits.

7. Way of the Cross in St. Peter's Square - for most of the Catholics, to witness the Way of the Cross in St. Peter's Square in Vatican will be a dream come true since this place is the seat of Catholicism faith. The Pope most generally conducts most Holy Week celebrations here in St. Peter's Basilica and Square. Check this site for layout and relics!

8. Hooded Procession in Sorrento - processions on the Sorrentine peninsula are ritual marches of hooded penitents and clergy who walk slowly down the main streets of town as tribute of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Each procession is generally organized by a historic "confraternità", or Catholic religious brotherhood and fraternity based around a specific church or parish. Every town on the peninsula is home to a number of different fraternities, so there are generally a variety of processions during Holy Week. Processions can vary as to the color of the symbolic hooded costumes, times they are held, and music or chanting that may accompany them. Processions usually carry misteri, or symbol of the crucifixion, including nails, shroud, small purse containing Judas' 30 coins, or basin symbolizing the washing of Pontius Pilate's hands. Each procession is also lit by torch or lamplights, and include statues of Christ or the Virgin Mary, incense burners, and choruses singing hymns or chanting prayers. All processions include a Miserere chorus, with male voices singing a capella, usually a Gregorian composition, at the end of the procession; at the beginning of the procession, there is usually a children's or female chorus accompanied by instruments.(Source: Sorrentoinsider.com)

Solemn Good Friday to all!

#HolyWeek #GoodFriday #Tradition

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Blogged by KalmJTravels

A franchisee of SATT

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