A City Island Christian man of the cloth recreated Jesus carrying the cross along the Avenue.
In Jerusalem, multiple places of worship were open. It was in extreme contrast to last year when the city was under lockdown. However, in neighboring Lebanon, Christians had to observe Good Friday under a lockdown while suffering an economic crisis.
Throughout Latin America, from Guatemala to Mexico and Paraguay Christians carried tree branches covered with thorns and large crosses reenacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
In Rome at The Vatican Pope Francis presided over a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, foregoing for a second year the traditional Colosseum procession that draws thousands of pilgrims, tourists as well as locals.
Christians in France and the Philippines marked a second annual Holy Week with restrictions amid outbreaks fanned by more contagious strains.
Here in America, public health officials urged all Christians to celebrate outdoors, while social distancing, or in virtual ceremonies. The image above shows Pastor David Jolly from Trinity Church carrying a wood cross through our small NYC island village, one of many observances held to commemorate the Christian holiday of Good Friday.
Good Friday is about the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. According to The Holy Bible, it was on this day that Christ was arrested and executed. Good Friday is considered holy because on this day, out of his love for everyone, Jesus Christ gave his life as a sacrifice while suffering for the sins of people. It was because of this gesture that humanity got a fresh start and all their sins were dismissed. It is also said that the aforementioned crucifixion took place around AD 33.
Now the question that arises is - if the day has such a sad history, why is it known as Good Friday? According to belief, the term actually came from the words God's Friday. However, there is another group of people that believe that 'Good' stands for Holy and that is why the day is also known as Holy Friday.
Though Jesus Christ was crucified on Good Friday, it was on Easter that the son of God resurrected, according to Bible. It signifies that good always wins and the fact that he went through so much suffering for the sins of humanity shows how much he loved everyone.
Good Friday is also a day of reflection, on the sacrifices that many make to transform the world. I am thankful that my family and loved ones are safe and I take time to figure out what I can do for my neighborhood, for my family, myself, my country, and for Planet Earth.
Soon, it will be Easter Sunday. We celebrate the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly 30 A.D. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and sacrifice—and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles, Good Friday on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed and Easter.
A Special Good Friday on City Island - A Slice of NYC Paradise.
Image - Ron Terner
