Maundy Thursday is the next special day in Holy week and this remembers the last supper in which jesus and his disciples had. Before he was arrested jesus gave a piece of bread and a bit of wine to all of them which symbolised his body and his blood. At the last supper jesus talks about how he knows someone has betrayed him and has he has already forgiven them. Many churches include a foot-washing ceremony as part of the Eucharist on this day. Some of the people sit at the front of the church to have their feet washed by the priest, this is because jesus did it for his disciples in the upper room where they ate the last supper to show them that to follow him, they must take the role of a servant.
Good Friday remembers how jesus was crucified which is a serious and sombre occasion. It is called Good Friday because people remember how jesus sacrificed his own life to save mankind. The anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches are stripped of all colourful decorations, crosses, candles and hangings. This is to remind the worshipers of the fact that jesus felt deserted and desolate on the cross. On Good Friday, when people attend the church, the story of The Passion is read, and in some churches the priest will enveil a crucifix and say 'this is the wood of the cross on which the saviour of the world died.' The people will then walk up to the alter to kiss the feet of the carved christ as a mark of respect. Free churches will not have the same ritual, but they will have a service in which the Passion story is read and thanks will be given to Jesus for going on the cross and saving humanity from their sins.
Easter Saturday is when Roman Catholic, Orthodox and many Anglican churches keep an easter vigil on the Saturday evening. The congregation gather outside the church where a bonfire is burning. A large candle is brought out, called the Paschal candle. It has a cross on it and the greek letters alpha and omega. The priest places five grains of incense on it, in memory of the five wounds jesus recieved on the cross. The candle is then lit and the priest leads a procession into the church holding the candle up high, and saying 'Thanks to be God!' The vigil is in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection the next day.
Finally, on Easter Sunday, people remember the resurrection of jesus the third day after he had died. Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches are full of decoration again with the priest in white robes. Flowers will be on the altar and candles burning. Songs of victory are sung in all churches and the story of the empty tomb and the apperances of the risen Jesus will be read out. On this day, many hot crossed buns are eaten to celebrate the end of lent. The cross design is to remember Jesus and many easter eggs are shared. Easter eggs are a symbol of new life and in Orthodox churches, hard boiled eggs are cracked open on easter day to celebrate the resurrection when Jesus broke free from the tomb.
The Easter story is a movement from tears to joy and touches christians very deeply when they hear it. It is about the struggle between good and evil, or light and darkness and the final victory of good. It is the story of how God showed that he was involved in human struggles and suffering and how God promises life after death.
