Observance of Good Friday around the world

Published April 18, 2014
Sri Lankan Christian devotees take part in the annual Way of the Cross ritual, which symbolises the final journey of Jesus Christ before he was crucified, during a Good Friday service in Colombo on April 18, 2014. Christians account for around six percent of Sri Lanka's 20 million population. — Photo by AFP.
Sri Lankan Christian devotees take part in the annual Way of the Cross ritual, which symbolises the final journey of Jesus Christ before he was crucified, during a Good Friday service in Colombo on April 18, 2014. Christians account for around six percent of Sri Lanka's 20 million population. — Photo by AFP.
An Indian Christian priest prays in front of a figurine depicting a crucified Jesus Christ during a Good Friday mass at The Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi on April 18, 2014.  Christians, for whom Easter marks the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, account for 2.3 percent of India's billion-plus Hindu-majority population. — Photo by AFP.
An Indian Christian priest prays in front of a figurine depicting a crucified Jesus Christ during a Good Friday mass at The Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi on April 18, 2014. Christians, for whom Easter marks the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, account for 2.3 percent of India's billion-plus Hindu-majority population. — Photo by AFP.
An Indian Catholic devotee takes part in a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during a 'passion play' tableau at The Mount Caramel Church in Hyderabad on April 18, 2014. Passion plays, a dramatic presentation depicting the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, are an integral part of Good Friday celebrations for Catholics. — Photo by AFP.
An Indian Catholic devotee takes part in a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during a 'passion play' tableau at The Mount Caramel Church in Hyderabad on April 18, 2014. Passion plays, a dramatic presentation depicting the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, are an integral part of Good Friday celebrations for Catholics. — Photo by AFP.
Members of the Spanish Legion carry a statue of the Christ of the Good Death to the Santo Domingo de Guzman church during a Holy Week procession in Malaga, southern Spain, on April 17, 2014. Christian believers around the world mark the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. —Photo by AFP.
Members of the Spanish Legion carry a statue of the Christ of the Good Death to the Santo Domingo de Guzman church during a Holy Week procession in Malaga, southern Spain, on April 17, 2014. Christian believers around the world mark the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. —Photo by AFP.
A masked penitent flagellates himself as part of Lenten observance in Angeles City, Pampanga province, north of Manila on April 17, 2014. The dominant Roman Catholic church does not condone flagellation and other extreme acts of penitence including gory Good Friday reenactments of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, but devout Catholics say it is a means of atoning for their sins and to implore God to spare them and other members of their families from illness or bad luck. — Photo by AFP.
A masked penitent flagellates himself as part of Lenten observance in Angeles City, Pampanga province, north of Manila on April 17, 2014. The dominant Roman Catholic church does not condone flagellation and other extreme acts of penitence including gory Good Friday reenactments of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, but devout Catholics say it is a means of atoning for their sins and to implore God to spare them and other members of their families from illness or bad luck. — Photo by AFP.
Indian Christians pray during a Good Friday mass at The Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi on April 18, 2014.  Christians, for whom Easter marks the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, account for 2.3 percent of India's billion-plus Hindu-majority population. — Photo by AFP.
Indian Christians pray during a Good Friday mass at The Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi on April 18, 2014. Christians, for whom Easter marks the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, account for 2.3 percent of India's billion-plus Hindu-majority population. — Photo by AFP.
Christian Arab worshipers hold wooden crosses during the Good Friday procession along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering) on April 18, 2014 in Jerusalem's Old City. Thousands of Christian pilgrims take part in processions along the route where according to tradition Jesus Christ carried the cross during his last days. — Photo by AFP.
Christian Arab worshipers hold wooden crosses during the Good Friday procession along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering) on April 18, 2014 in Jerusalem's Old City. Thousands of Christian pilgrims take part in processions along the route where according to tradition Jesus Christ carried the cross during his last days. — Photo by AFP.
Altar boys sit next to a statue of Jesus Christ while they wait for a Good Friday mass to begin, at a church in Colombo April 18, 2014. Holy Week is celebrated in many Christian traditions during the week before Easter. — Photo by Reuters.
Altar boys sit next to a statue of Jesus Christ while they wait for a Good Friday mass to begin, at a church in Colombo April 18, 2014. Holy Week is celebrated in many Christian traditions during the week before Easter. — Photo by Reuters.
An Indian Catholic worshipper holds up a cross during a procession in remembrance of the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ during a 'passion play' tableau at The Mount Caramel Church in Hyderabad on April 18, 2014. Passion plays, a dramatic presentation depicting the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, are an integral part of Good Friday celebrations for Catholics. — Photo by AFP.
An Indian Catholic worshipper holds up a cross during a procession in remembrance of the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ during a 'passion play' tableau at The Mount Caramel Church in Hyderabad on April 18, 2014. Passion plays, a dramatic presentation depicting the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, are an integral part of Good Friday celebrations for Catholics. — Photo by AFP.
Penitents of the Jesus Yacente brotherhood take part in a Holy Week procession in Zamora, northern Spain Friday, April 18, 2014. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week. — Photo by AP.
Penitents of the Jesus Yacente brotherhood take part in a Holy Week procession in Zamora, northern Spain Friday, April 18, 2014. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week. — Photo by AP.

Good Friday occurs two days before Easter Sunday. It is a day on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Here is a selection of photos of Good Friday celebrations from around the world.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...