As Christians across Kerala observe Good Friday on 6th April, 2012, three rituals associated with it remain unchanged. Good Friday is observed as a day of prayer, penance and fasting to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ nearly 2,000 years ago.The most important among the rituals is 'Way of the Cross', a re-enactment of the travel through 14 stations during Christ's Journey to Mount Calvary from Pilate's Palace. Devotees take out long processions across Kerala singing hymns in praise of the Lord as the story of betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Christ is narrated by the priest.
The second significant ritual in all Kerala churches is the drinking of 'Choruka', a decoction made of bitter gourd juice and vinegar. Choruka is poured into the faithful's mouth by priests.
This symbolises the incident when Jesus, while on the cross, called out, and hearing his cries some of those watching the event took a piece of cloth, dipped it in cheap wine, put it on a piece of stick and lifted it to his mouth and tried to make him drink.The steaming 'Kanji', served immediately after the long mass too has become inevitable, with all devotees having at least one serving of this gruel prepared in the church compound itself. The hot gruel made of watery rice is served with pulses and pickle.
The Good Friday mass begins around 8 a.m in the morning. The longest service is at the Orthodox Church where it ends at 3 p.m. Christians account for 23 percent of Kerala's 32 million population. A large percentage of Christians live in the central Kerala districts of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Trissur.
The second significant ritual in all Kerala churches is the drinking of 'Choruka', a decoction made of bitter gourd juice and vinegar. Choruka is poured into the faithful's mouth by priests.
This symbolises the incident when Jesus, while on the cross, called out, and hearing his cries some of those watching the event took a piece of cloth, dipped it in cheap wine, put it on a piece of stick and lifted it to his mouth and tried to make him drink.The steaming 'Kanji', served immediately after the long mass too has become inevitable, with all devotees having at least one serving of this gruel prepared in the church compound itself. The hot gruel made of watery rice is served with pulses and pickle.
The Good Friday mass begins around 8 a.m in the morning. The longest service is at the Orthodox Church where it ends at 3 p.m. Christians account for 23 percent of Kerala's 32 million population. A large percentage of Christians live in the central Kerala districts of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Trissur.
Prof. John Kurakar
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