Just after six in the morning, on Good Friday in Jerusalem, the square the Basilica of the Holy Land looks on to is already packed. It is the people of Christians who want to take part in the celebration of Christ’s Passion.
The doors open at seven, with the arrival of the friars of the Custody who accompany the patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Mons. Fouad Twal, to the holy place. On the right, just at the entrance of the Basilica, a staircase leads up to Calvary. The spaces are narrow, the possibility of holding the faithful – together with the choir and the celebrants – are very reduced. Those who are able to reach the place of the Crucifixion of Christ can follow from close at hand the liturgical action, others make do with entering the Basilica, whilst the doors are closed again. This morning the Holy Sepulchre is reserved for prayer and celebrations and only in a few hours will the heavy doors be opened again to allow people to go out.
The Easter Triduum continues, in the uniqueness of Jerusalem which allows us to live the Passion, death and Resurrection of the Saviour in the same places where He was the protagonist of these events. The Liturgy of the Word – the first moment of this celebration which is completed with the Adoration of the Cross and Communion – includes singing the “Passio Domini” from the Gospel by John, after similar readings from Matthew, mark and Luke which took place on Palm Sunday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday. The choir joins the three lectors to play the part of the people, who ask for the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus. “Consummatum est!”.
“Everything is done”. On the second of Christ’s death, the Calvary falls silent. The lector makes his way through the faithful to reach the central altar of the Greeks and to kiss the exact point where the cross which bore the Son of God left its mark on the rock of Golgotha. The moment is suspended, quiet and solemn.
It was here that everything happened. It was here that the Lamb of God offered himself in sacrifice.
By Serena Picariello Photos by Marco Gavasso
The doors open at seven, with the arrival of the friars of the Custody who accompany the patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Mons. Fouad Twal, to the holy place. On the right, just at the entrance of the Basilica, a staircase leads up to Calvary. The spaces are narrow, the possibility of holding the faithful – together with the choir and the celebrants – are very reduced. Those who are able to reach the place of the Crucifixion of Christ can follow from close at hand the liturgical action, others make do with entering the Basilica, whilst the doors are closed again. This morning the Holy Sepulchre is reserved for prayer and celebrations and only in a few hours will the heavy doors be opened again to allow people to go out.
The Easter Triduum continues, in the uniqueness of Jerusalem which allows us to live the Passion, death and Resurrection of the Saviour in the same places where He was the protagonist of these events. The Liturgy of the Word – the first moment of this celebration which is completed with the Adoration of the Cross and Communion – includes singing the “Passio Domini” from the Gospel by John, after similar readings from Matthew, mark and Luke which took place on Palm Sunday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday. The choir joins the three lectors to play the part of the people, who ask for the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus. “Consummatum est!”.
“Everything is done”. On the second of Christ’s death, the Calvary falls silent. The lector makes his way through the faithful to reach the central altar of the Greeks and to kiss the exact point where the cross which bore the Son of God left its mark on the rock of Golgotha. The moment is suspended, quiet and solemn.
It was here that everything happened. It was here that the Lamb of God offered himself in sacrifice.
By Serena Picariello Photos by Marco Gavasso