dyton mupawaenda
Herald Reporters
CHRISTIANS from various denominations yesterday observed Good Friday, a sombre day of mourning and reflection on Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.
Songs depicting hope, happiness and appreciation characterised services yesterday as devotees commemorated one of the holiest days in Christianity.
The observance was widespread, with Christians from different denominations participating in processions and prayers, honouring Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.
In separate interviews, Christians in Harare described Good Friday as an important day in their calendar, signifying eternal life.
Sister Monica Maparura, Missionary Sister of the Precious Blood and secretary of the Curia Educational Commission, described the day as highly significant in the Catholic Church calendar.
“It’s a pivotal moment in our salvation history, commemorating Jesus Christ’s suffering. He bore his cross to Calvary, where he was nailed, crucified, shed his blood and died for our redemption.”
Another believer from the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, Mr Rodwell Takaendesa, said the day gives them hope.
“To others, Jesus’ crucifixion might seem like defeat, but to us, it’s a win because our sins have been forgiven, and we’ve been given a new lease on life.”
Pentecostal churches, such as United Family International Church (UFIC), led by Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa, and Goodness and Mercy Ministries (GMM), held evening services to mark Good Friday, while Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) hosted a ladies’ Easter conference, which started on Thursday.
Some churches have been holding all-night vigils since Thursday, characterised by praise and worship until Sunday while some are just having three hour services in the evening.
In Masvingo Province people celebrated Easter with different churches leading the way in celebrating the cruxification and resurrection of Christ.
The Zion Christian Church Mutendi started celebrations to mark Easter last Saturday with a conference for Under-14s that morphed into a big fête at the church’s Mbungo Headquarters attended by over 100 000 from Zimbabwe and beyond the country’s borders.
Other churches such as Zion Christ Church-Kumuka Kuvakafa( ZCC-K) also marked Easter with spectacular display and marches at their Garare Headquarters in Mwenezi with Bishop Emeritus Lyphet Nhaudzashe Matenda leading the way.
Bishop Matenda in his address to congregants, at the start of the conference that will end on Sunday, said besides celebrating Easter, churches were also praying for continued peace in Zimbabwe under the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa.
Other churches such as the Roman Catholic Church in Masvingo also celebrated Easter with various activities by believers.
Ordinary people celebrated the holiday by trekking to their rural homes after most companies closed for Easter on Thursday afternoon.
In Beitbridge, most Christians spent the day at their various religious sites, while some left town for destinations within the country where mass gatherings had been organised by their church leadership.
There was also relatively low traffic at the border, as many people had arrived in the country between Wednesday and Thursday.”
In Mashonaland West, Christians across the province also gathered at their various sites and churches for the Easter holidays.
Congregants from various denominations, including the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches in Chinhoyi, marched in remembrance of the day Jesus Christ was betrayed and killed.
Despite the rain and chilly weather, the congregants gathered at their churches to observe the significance of the Son of God’s life.
Gatherings and congregations for most churches in the town were scheduled for yesterday evening.
Good Friday is a solemn occasion that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christian theology that symbolises sacrifice and redemption.
Good Friday always falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday, which will be celebrated this year on April 20, 2025.
This timing, according to Christians is not arbitrary; it is rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ resurrected on Easter Sunday, two days after his crucifixion.
Online Reporter