Hi my people, it's Thursday and we can't but be thoughtful, especially in this Holy Week. We are in Easter period, a season to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the season is characterized by eating, drinking and all fun-filled activities. However, there's no resurrection without death. A week before the resurrection of our Lord Jesus is termed 'Holy week. The week highlighted the suffering, crucifixion and the death of our saviour. Even though it happened over two thousand years ago, it still feels fresh, and we celebrate it annually to remind us how someone suffered and died for us that we may be saved.
Growing up, I had lots of beautiful memories celebrating holy week with my parents and loved ones. I used to attend an orthodox church with my parents and holy week is highly referenced in orthodox churches.I miss those beautiful memories of 'holy week's with my parents. Fasting was made compulsory for those seven days at least , as a way of partaking in the suffering of our Lord, Jesus. The week was usually filled with activities, Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and everyone would be in church for a programme. Thursday was meant for ' washing of feet' like Jesus did for His followers. We would gather in the evening for our feets to be washed by church elders. It used to be so exciting and inspirational.
Friday is 'Good Friday', the day our Saviour was nailed to the cross, beaten, spat upon till He finished all on the cross. Then, I would wake so early in order to follow my parents to church, because any minute of sluggishness like this, you wouldn't catch up with them. Service would start by 9am, but we wouldn't conduct the service inside the church. It's always held in an open space, at a designated place for prayer called 'mercy land. We wouldn't sit on plastic chairs but on the floor to humble ourselves, reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus paid for us all.
After 9am service, which used to last about an hour, we would take a break, some would sleep on the floor, teenagers like myself and other children would gather to play together. We would resume another service by 12pm, by then sun would have come out and since we were doing the service in an open air and not under any shed. The sun would rise on us and scorch us for a while. The aim of conducting Good Friday services in an open air under the sun was to have a slight taste of what Jesus felt for us on the cross, where He was nailed under the sun for hours, despised, beaten that we may be saved. After the 12pm service, we would take another break to resume by three for the last service for the day.
By that time, the sun wouldn't be so friendly again, children, teenagers would be shouting 'the sun' and elders would be pointing their attention to Jesus, that suffered more for us. It's usually a moment to reminisce, thank God for salvation, repent and make resolutions for a better living to the glory of God.
In no time, prayers would be made and service would be brought to a close knowing at that time of the day, Jesus ended it on the cross. We would all go out, exchange pleasantries and go back to our various home, waiting for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus on the third day. Halleluyah!
The memories were beautiful, I wish it were the same also in our pentecostal churches nowadays. It is true that Jesus had paid it all, and we are not punishing ourselves again as many claimed nowadays. Those beautiful activities however draw our attention to the significance of the 'holy week' and reconnect us to the essence of Jesus' death.
I'm so sorry I couldn't post this yesterday, but we're still in the week and it's better late than never. I pray the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus will not be in vain over us. I really appreciate you for stopping by. Thanks for reading.
All pictures are mine.