By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) : Christians across Kerala observed Good Friday as a day of prayers and penance to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Churches across the state held special prayers, which were attended by thousands of faithfuls.
“This time the crowds seem to be bigger than the last year, and this has been the pattern noticed over the last few years,” said Abraham Joseph, who attended the mass at the St. George Orthodox Church here.
Devotees observed the customary ritual of drinking choruka, a decoction made of bitter gourd juice and vinegar.
Jesus, while on the cross, called out for water and hearing his cry some people took a piece of cloth, dipped it in wine, put it on a piece of stick and lifted it to his mouth to try and make him drink.
In most churches, the day’s highlight is the `Nagarikanickal’ ritual, where the crucifix is carried through the streets in a procession with hundreds of followers.