Thiruvananthapuram, April 3 The Christian community in Kerala observed 'Good Friday' according to traditional customs and beliefs, as various political candidates, in the upcoming Assembly elections, extended greetings and visited churches on the occasion.
Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, V D Satheesan, who is contesting from the Paravur assembly seat, extended Good Friday greetings in a Facebook post, while Congress' Vattiyoorkavu candidate, K Muraleedharan, participated in a 'Way of the Cross' procession in the state capital.
State Water Resources Minister and Kerala Congress (M) leader, Roshy Augustine, who is contesting from the Idukki assembly constituency, climbed the Malayattoor hills in Ernakulam district, where the famous St. Thomas church is located.
Not just Augustine, but thousands of devotees also climbed the Malayattoor hills, as the Christian community in the state eschewed all luxuries and physical comforts and attended special prayers in churches on the occasion.
Devotees were seen climbing the hills, carrying wooden crosses of varying sizes on their shoulders and hands.
The hill is believed to have been visited by Apostle St. Thomas in AD 52.
Church leaders called for peace in the world in their messages on the occasion.
Devotees, who had congregated in large numbers in churches since morning to participate in various rituals, remembered the suffering undergone by Jesus Christ 2000 years ago and his crucifixion.
'Good Friday' services were held in the majority of churches in the southern state, cutting across denominations.
Hundreds of people walked bearing wooden crosses, commemorating the final moments of Christ, as part of the 'Way of the Cross' processions held under the aegis of various churches.
The day was observed as a day of prayer and penitence by traditional Christian families in the state, who avoided all worldly comforts to mark the occasion, remembering the suffering of Christ.