my colorful world: Pagsanjan Good Friday 2011

On Good Friday Christians remember the day that Jesus was killed on the cross. He was nailed to a wooden cross by Roman soldiers. This is the reason why the cross is an important sign for Christians today. There are crosses in churches and many Christians wear a cross on a chain. At Easter people eat hot cross buns which have a cross shape on the top.

Good Friday is a sad day and churches never have flowers or decorations on this day. The church is left dark and there is just a simple cross on the altar. It is known as Good Friday because Christians believe that Jesus gave up his life for the good of everyone.

The Crucifixion is remembered in Jerusalem even today. Large crowds of Christians take the same path as Jesus. In some countries people act out the story of Jesus' last day while others watch and think about the events which happened long ago.

The Philippines become a center for tourist attraction on Good Friday where real-life reenactments of the crucifixion have become a gory spectacle. Each year, hundreds of devotees endure the pain and suffering of crucifixion to feel what Christ went through to die for the sins of mankind. Apart from the procession of crucifixions, some devotees also take to the streets, whipping and immolating themselves mercilessly as an act of penance.

While the spirit of gloom that surrounds Good Friday is very real and in keeping with the depressing nature of the occasion of Christ’s death, the mourning is temporary and erupts in celebration and rejoicing on Easter Sunday. In fact, Good Friday should not be absorbed by the death of Christ, that is too much empowerment given to death when what Christ did was to conquer it. It is, therefore, a celebration of the being of Christ as he stooped to take on flesh and defeat it for the sake of mankind.

When the sun is down, most of the family that owns an Image brings their Santos and Carozzas at the church for procession...