Today is good Friday, a day Christians all over the world commemorate the passion and death on the cross of our lord, Jesus Christ.
Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.
The holiday is observed during holy week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of passover.
It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, or Black Friday.
Good Friday is a widely-instituted legal holiday in many national governments around the world, including in most western countries especially among catholic nations.
Some governments have laws prohibiting certain acts that are seen as profaning the solemn nature of the day.
Here in Nigeria as in some countries, Christians particularly the Catholics embark on a special Good Friday processions as a re-enactment of the crucifixion of our lord Jesus Christ.
Jerusalem Good Friday
Meanwhile in Jerusalem’s old city, Christian pilgrims and local worshippers have gathered at the church of the holy sepulchre.
Followers of the Christian faith believe the church stands on the site of Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
It marks the last five stations of the cross on the Via Dolorosa, which is walked by pilgrims who arrive from all over the world to take part in Good Friday processions.