Vijayawada: Solemnity, prayers mark Good Friday across state

Vijayawada: Churches across Krishna district were decked up for devotees to mark Good Friday.

Thousands of Christians observed Good Friday with devotion and participated in special prayers in various churches across the district.

Priests churches delivered the Good Friday sermon to the devotees and said that Jesus Christ was crucified to save the human race and this reflects his love and affection towards mankind.

Chief priest at the Gunadala Mary Shrine led special prayers in which thousands of devotees participated. They carried the Holy Cross from the church at the foot of the hill to Gunadala hilltop symbolising Christ carrying the Cross before his Crucifixion.

After reaching the Gunadala hilltop, the devotees broke down in tears. Later, they sang special Good Friday hymns.

Father Basani Papireddy at the Saint Pauls Cathedral conducted led the holy procession by carrying the Cross from the church to all the streets in Patamata in about two hours.

On the occasion, Bishop T. Raja Rao, Fr. B. Papireddy, Fr. D. Satish and Fr. Ravikanth delivered special sermons.

Addressing the congregation, Bishop Raja Rao said that Jesus is a symbol of peace and sacrifice.

He said that Christ who came into the world as a messenger and he suffered Crucifixion for the sake of universal prosperity. 

Meanwhile, a large number of Christians mourned Crucifixion of Jesus Christ by offering special prayers in several parts in Godavari districts.

Several churches took out processions enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ with devotees carrying the Cross in a symbolic manner on the streets to bring about awareness among the people on it.  Special prayers were held in churches to meditate the last seven words Jesus uttered on the Cross.

In Rajahmundry, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, pastor Dr. Rev. G. Sam Sampath Kumar led the prayers.