In accordance with the chronology of the gospel account of the last of Our Lord’s mortal life it is natural that sacred Triduum of Thursday, Friday and Saturday developed.A special “Holy Week’ became established in which all the faithful re-lived and received graces from the fundamental mysteries of redemption.

Palm Sunday or Hosanna is celebrated with the proper ceremonies with palms, processions and special services.

Then follows Holy Week, the Week of Pains, the Himamat. For some, from Thursday afternoon until Easter morning no morsel of food nor a drop of water enters the mouth and the three days are known as “Qanona”.The priests neither eat nor drink but remain the churches singing and praying incessantly.No absolution is given.

Good Friday. The solemn liturgical service of Good Friday is attended by thousands of believers. There is a sense of sorrow and desolation. All the symbols, images and instruments used in the passion of the Saviour are publicly exhibited in the church. Men and women go to church to prostrate themselves, remaining there from early morning till 3 p.m the hour of Jesus Christ. Believers confess their greater and lesser offenses to the confessor or sit reading their Psalter. It is believed that on Good Friday blood fell from Christ on the cross and dripped into the grave of Adam beneath and there rose up and there rose up from the dead about 500 persons; the thief on the left was into darkness but the one on the right went before Adam into Paradise. On this Friday the Devil was bound with cords and Christ descending to purgatory (seol) sent forth to paradise all the souls that were in darkness (seol). Good Friday is a special day for confessions.

Easter, the Feast of Feasts, is celebrated with special solemnity. The church is filled with the fragrance of incense and myriads of lights. The Clergy are arrayed in their choicest vestments. All the people hold lighted tapers in their hands. Presents are exchanged, drums are beaten, hands are clapped and the singing is heard everywhere. Messages are exchanged between friends and the whole day is one of spiritual and physical feasting, a commemoration of the holiest occasion of all history-a truly blessed time when Christ rose from the dead.

Source: arefe (Addis Journal)