The churches in Hyderabad were filled with worshippers on Good Friday, as people gathered to witness the reenactment of Jesus Christ’s suffering and crucifixion and to offer prayers. Some churches started their prayer services on Thursday, while others began on Friday morning.
Catholic churches in the city conducted meditations in Tamil, Telugu, and English. Churches like St Mary’s Basilica, Joseph’s Church, and the Methodist Church organized the passion play, which included the Way of the Cross with individuals carrying wooden crosses.
G Selvavice, secretary of the United Christmas Celebration Committee, mentioned that this year the Christian community is offering special prayers for good governance in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The churches were also decorated beautifully in preparation for Easter celebrations on Sunday.
St Mary’s Basilica, one of the oldest churches in Hyderabad, saw around 5,000 visitors offering prayers. The church’s prayer service included meditation on the last seven words spoken by Jesus on the cross and a veneration of the cross service in the evening. A senior pastor from Trinity Assembly of God Church explained that their prayer services began early in the morning and focused more on reflection and memorialization of Jesus’s sacrifice for mankind’s redemption.
