This story is from April 20, 2019

Hundreds gather on Vizag streets on Good Friday to commemorate Christ’s crucifixion

Hundreds gather on Vizag streets on Good Friday to commemorate Christ’s crucifixion
Visakhapatnam: The city observed Good Friday with a day-long fast and church service, children and senior citizens gathering in large numbers to participate in a procession that was taken out here in the city on Friday.
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The day is observed by Christians during the Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum (a period of three days) on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday.
Hundreds of Christians participated in the rally held in Gnanapuram.
To signify the importance of the procession, ‘The way of the Cross or the Stations of the Cross’ was showcased, which is a narration of the final hours of the life of Jesus Christ.
Other churches in the city, including those in Seethamadhara, Resapuvanipalem, Jagadamba and Rockdale Layout, observed the day by organising various activities.
More than 5,000 people participated in a ‘mega good news rally’ that was organised in the city by the Life Changing Revival Centre, PJ Stephen Paul Ministries. The rally started from Railway New Colony at 06:00 am and crossed the LIC building, RTC Complex and Diamond Park, before returning to the New Colony.
At different junctions in the rally, founder of the Life Changing Revival Centre and international speaker, PJ Stephen Paul, and sister Shaila Paul spoke about the historical death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary and his resurrection. After the rally, Friday prayers were conducted at different branches of the Centre from 9 am to 3 pm.
Father of QMB Church, Dr Isaiah, who is also a researcher of Visakhapatnam’s history, said Jesus saved sinners by shedding his blood for the spiritual and moral regeneration of mankind, and his life served as a reminder to perform good deeds.
Sameera, an IT employee, said, “The Stations of the Cross serve as a stark reminder of the humble manner in which Jesus was willing to provide a path to salvation through his sacrifice. It was on this last journey that he gave the last messages that form the basic tenets of Christianity.” She added, “Following the procession, adoration was carried out in St Anthony’s church. Adoration is a sign of devotion to and worship of Jesus Christ.
This was then followed by confessions by the people to the parish priests or the father of the church. People confess their mistakes and seek their solution.”
Pauline, a college student from the city, said, “I observed a day-long fast and after all the rituals, I broke my fast in the evening. We have only vegetarian food on this day and majority of the people from the12 to 60-year age group fast on this important day.”
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