Believers entered the most solemn day of the Orthodox church calendar Friday — Good Friday — looking forward to the redemption coming on Easter Sunday.
Congregants at Sts. Constantine and Helena Greek Orthodox Cathedral gathered at the Merrillville cathedral Friday afternoon to mourn Jesus’ Crucifixion during Good Friday’s afternoon services, a ritual that played out at area Orthodox churches. The mood was somber yet hopeful as the Rev. Ted Poteres took congregants through the brutal death of their lord and savior.
As the afternoon service is devoted to when Christ died, Poteres re-enacted the burial by removing an icon carving from a wreath of white flowers on a cross and covering it in a crisp white shroud. After presenting the covered icon to the congregation, he placed it in a tomb on the altar.
He and his officiants then carried a second shroud around the church, symbolizing the funeral procession of Jesus to his tomb.
But any sadness found in the procession should be short-lived, because as the story goes, the tomb was only a temporary stop for Christ.
“What an amazing day,” Poteres said, smiling. “Today, we see the Creator has become the servant, offering himself for us. Death doesn’t realize it’s lost the battle, because the Lord is still working and ministering.”
When the authorities went to the men guarding Jesus’ tomb, they were convinced his apostles were going to steal him, Poteres continued, though the apostles were more scared than anyone of what was going to happen.
And then on that third day, Jesus was gone from the tomb and back to ministering to his flock, Poteres said.
“This is what the Lord gave for you! Give yourself in prayer; give yourself in forgiveness, and you will be glorified,” Poteres said. “Fight the good fight, and you will finish the race.”
While dressed in their finery, many Orthodox church members tend to wear dark colors during Holy Week, but especially on Good Friday, according to Stacey Siatras, of Valparaiso. After all, for many, Good Friday symbolizes the ultimate funeral service.
“It’s a week of mourning, where we mourn the passion, betrayal and death (of Christ), she said. “We save color for Sunday, when He’s risen.”
They also save the fun of Easter for Sunday, according to Christina Dovellos, 9, of Dyer; her brother, George, 8, and Katerina Siatras, of Valparaiso and also 8.
“I think the best part of Easter is being with family,” Christina said, while her brother’s take was a bit more to-the-point: “Eating lamb.”
“I like food and family,” Katerina added.
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Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter with the Post-Tribune.