GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday is observed as the betrayal, arrest and death of Jesus Christ. It is the most solemn of all services or festivals of the Spiritual Baptist Church.
From the inception of the Son’s of God Spiritual Baptist in Barbados, the Good Friday service worship have always been carried out and demonstrated throughout the streets mostly in districts of Bridgetown and St. Michael.
The fourteen stations of the cross are re-enacted over a distance which begins at Richmond Gap, St. Michael along Westbury Road, Baxters Road, Tudor Street, Broad Street, Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge, Independence Square, Nelson Street, Wellington Street, Martindale’s Road, on to Belmont Road, Carrington Village, Condemn Gully Pasture, Bridge Road, Bank Hall, Eagle Hall, Black Rock, Carlton, Farm Housing Area, Deacons Road, Goodland and return to the Temple. The journey takes about seven hours.
The fourteen stations of the cross consist of the fourteen trials our Lord encountered on his journey from the moment he was betrayed by Judas, (St. Matthew 26:48-50), 'Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, whomsoever I shall kiss, the same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus and said,
Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, friend wherefore art thou come? Then came they and laid hands on Jesus and took him’) until Joseph of Armathaea went to Pilate and begged for the body of Jesus.The service usually begins at 3:00 p.m. at Zion’s Apostolic Temple and almost everyone is robed or attired in sparkling white garments. Visitors, well wishers and strangers from many other countries also join the march.
The procession highlights the many emblems, symbols and seals which that saints carry on they garments and the several banners of the various groups within the church. The scene is one of a beautiful but solemn occasion.
At the very station prayers are offered, and the word of God is read, expounded on the particular event of that station. The administration of each station is carried out by one of the groups in the church.
The Good Friday procession symbolises when our Lord Jesus was taken into the hands of sinners and crucified, Isaiah 53:7-9