Great Friday: a Day of Fasting, Mourning and Solemn Processi…

For Greek Orthodox followers, Good Friday is a day of fasting and outright mourning.The Greek Orthodox

Church reminds us about Jesus’journey to the Cross and death, about his burial and the triumph of evil over excellent, until the latter victories once again with the Resurrection of Christ.Twelve Gospels read on Holy Thursday evening and five on Good Friday morning telling the terrible events from the Evangelists’ point of view.What is Good Friday?Good Friday reminds the faithful of how Christ was betrayed and arrested, about his interrogation and humiliation, his death sentence delivered from the High Priests and

Pilate, and Peter’s rejection and repentance. It likewise states Christ’s roadway to Calvary, as well as His death, crucifixion, and burial and the sealing of His tomb.Jesus was crucified at 9 am, while his torment lasted six hours, up until 3 pm, when he passed away, saying”It is ended up”(” Tetelestai”). At sundown, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus– 2 of Jesus’secret disciples– removed his body from

the Cross and buried him in a rock-hewn tomb.On Good Friday morning, Orthodox faithful collect once again to hope the Royal Hours– a special, expanded event of the Little Hours– in place of the Divine Liturgy. In the afternoon, around 3 pm, everybody gathers again for the Vespers of the Taking Down from the Cross.Near completion of the service, an Epitaph(a fabric embroidered with the image of Christ prepared for burial )is brought in procession to a low table in the nave which represents the Tomb of Christ, followed by another procession.For Christians, the death of Christ is mankind’s salvation, a source of redemption that comes

with his Resurrection, which is celebrated on Easter. Great Friday customs in Greece Late during the night, the Epitaph is performed every Greek town, village or area, followed by a procession of faithful. In some events, a band or choir follows the procession and plays or sings solemn music to express the sadness of the people.The Epitaph is followed by cantors, members of the clergy , femalesbearing myrrh and altar boys carrying the liturgical

fans. Throughout the procession, people spread flowers and fragrance on the Epitaph, while holding lit candles in their hands.In Athens, women utilized to clean the streets right before the Epitaph procession passed by and as quickly as the procession arrived, they would stand at their doors holding a roofing system tile including a small piece of charcoal and incense.On the night of Good Friday, in Nafpaktos, western Greece, a crowd of both locals and visitors follow the Epitaph procession, passing through the port where

residents light torches and position them all across the castle wall.Torches are likewise placed in the middle of the port, forming a large cross, providing an uniquely moving phenomenon to the people following the procession.Some believers in Greece drink vinegar on Good Friday, as a remembrance of the vinegar offered to Christ while He was suffering on the Cross. On Crete, locals boil snails and consume their juice, which is very bitter, as another way to honor the bitterness of His Passion.In Koroni, on the Peloponnesian peninsula, individuals do not eat anything during the whole of Good Friday.Also, in numerous Greek towns, the males avoid doing any manual work and especially using nails– due to the fact that it looks like the method which Jesus was crucified.In Naxos, individuals traditionally do not kiss on Good Friday, since Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. The females gather to clean up the churches and embellish the Epitaph before following the

procession.See all the most recent news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an upgrade or send your story, images and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email! This content was originally released here.

Late at night, the Epitaph is brought through every Greek town, town or community, followed by a procession of faithful. On Crete, residents boil snails and drink their juice, which is extremely bitter, as another way to honor the bitterness of His Passion.In Koroni, on the Peloponnesian peninsula, individuals do not consume anything throughout the totality of Good Friday.Also, in lots of Greek towns, the males refrain from doing any handbook work and particularly using nails– due to the fact that it resembles the method in which Jesus was crucified.In Naxos, individuals typically do not kiss on Good Friday, due to the fact that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our day-to-day email!