Christians in Nadia observe Good Friday through online live streaming to avoid congregation in the wake of Covid 19 outbreak

Biswabrata Goswami

KRISHNAGAR, 10 APRIL: It’s been an experience that has never happened before as Christian’s in Nadia on Friday was seen either glued to online streaming or engaged in small prayers at one’s home, as the Good Friday mass in churches on account of COVID-19 spread has been limited to just five, including the priest and his associates.

Hundreds of Christians, today, observed Good Friday with prayers, hymns and messages of peace and reconciliation online, though it has not dampened their spirit to observe the anniversary of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.

Many people also participate in the church services specially on the day, but this year as everyone is grounded in their homes they had to participate in the online live streaming of the services.

Good Friday is a day of prayers, penance and fasting to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Calvary Hills nearly 2000 years ago. Churches observe it with a service that normally takes place in the evening where Christ’s death is remembered with hymns and special prayers.

At Krishnagar Cathedral Church, the Parish Priest Father Ongshu Gyen, Reverend Fathers John Biswas and Rakesh Mondol recalled Christ’s sacrifice for the entire humanity.

“Jesus was the epitome of love and forgiveness which he demonstrated on the Cross. He died so that we can be forgiven for our sins. His message of peace and reconciliation is so relevant in this era”, said reverend Biswas.   

He also said the celebration this time was quite different as it was observed without a congregation in church in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. All Christians observed the Holy Day sitting in their homes and practiced rituals by their own way to show honours to Jesus Christ, he added.

For Krishnagar Cathedral Church, the online service is being conducted by Avijit Louis Sarkar, a social worker who eventually said, “I have started online live service for prayers for the last few days and members of Christian community are feeling good for this live service”.

He said other Churches in Ranaghat and Chapra also took the advantage of the live online service and they also observed the Holy Day through this service.

Learning the teaching from the ‘Way of the Cross’ is the highlight of the Good Friday service. Hundreds of devout Catholics gather at Krishnagar Church each year to listen to mass and participate in it. The afternoon sermons narrate the tale of sufferings Jesus Christ took upon himself for the sake of humanity. “Choir and services adds essence to the day. Sadly, devout had not been able to make it to the church, but live streaming helped us all to soak in the blessings and worship of Lord Jesus, who sacrificed his life for us”, said a member of the Ranabandh Church in Chapra.