Christian Churches in Europe Mark Good Friday: Thousands Attend Cross Procession in Warsaw

The Catholic Church and some Orthodox and Greek Catholics in Europe marked Good Friday to commemorate the suffering and death of Christ. On the evening of 29 March, a Central Cross Procession of thousands marched through the streets of Warsaw. The large cross was carried by representatives of various professions. Among others, there were priests, nuns, students, city guards, lawyers, doctors, police and military personnel. More than 10,000 believers took part in the largest procession in Warsaw, Polish media reported.

The central Way of the Cross in Warsaw began at 20:00 in front of St Anne's Church and was led by Archbishop Metropolitan Cardinal Kazimierz Nych of Warsaw. Participants walked along Miodowa and Senatorska streets, through Teatralna Square, Wierzbowa, Królewska and back through the Kraków suburbs to St Anne's Church.

The service began with a Franciscan prayer in which the faithful asked God to make them "instruments of His peace"; to spread love where there is hatred. Earlier in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Bishop Peter Yaretsky led the Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord.

At the head of the procession was a large cross, which was carried by representatives of various circles, including priests, nuns, members of neocatechumenal communities, students, city guards, railway workers, lawyers, craftsmen, firefighters, military, police and councillors. This year's reflections were prepared by Father Piotr Ovczar, a Capuchin from the monastery on Miodowa Street in Warsaw. In each of the following fourteen stations, the faithful contemplated one of the works of mercy for the body and soul.

For Christians, it is a day of concentration and reflection on the cross. The faithful gather for the Stations of the Cross service and the evening Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord. They are subject to a strict fast.

Good Friday begins the Easter Triduum, which ultimately leads to the great joy of the Resurrection of Christ. It is a day when no masses are celebrated. The attention of the faithful is focused on the Cross of Christ, the greatest sacrifice made for the salvation of people. During the day, believers come to churches to pray in the dark. They also take part in Stations of the Cross services, recalling the events that took place more than two thousand years ago in Jerusalem.

The Cross remains covered until the evening solemn Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord, and the Holy Sepulchre is prepared in churches.

For Christians, Good Friday is a time of silence and contemplation.