DATE: Friday, March 28, 1997                TAG: 9703280002

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B08  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   28 lines

GOOD FRIDAY A SOMBER DAY

Whether at work, school or church, most Christians will pause this afternoon to remember the crucifixion of Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem.

Christian communities disagree on many things - theology, forms of worship and Bible interpretations, but all observe Good Friday as the most somber day of the church year. Without the terrible events of Good Friday there could be no Easter, and without the glorious story of Jesus' triumph over death there would be no Christianity. The events of the Holy Week embody the universal themes that unite Christians the world over.

Today the dramatic biblical account of Jesus' betrayal, trial and execution will be told and retold in churches big and small, plain and fancy on every continent.

Locally, Catholics, and some Protestants, will fast, pray and observe the 14 Stations of the Cross that visually symbolize this solemn day.

As psalms are read, prayers and hymns offered, some sanctuaries will become progressively darker, symbolizing the darkness of Jesus' death.

But Christians do not despair on this sad day. They know that Good Friday is always followed two days later by Easter.

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