Palm print cross at Wellawatte Methodist Church

By Capt. Rohith Fernando

On Good Friday, Christians the world over mark the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Easter Triduum. Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday.

Christians annually observe the day as a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting. On that dreadful Friday, Jesus was forced to carry His own cross to Golgotha. There He was crucified between two thieves, even though He was innocent.

Simon of Cyrene was the man compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus of Nazareth as Jesus was taken by foot to His crucifixion to Golgotha. Illustrating this help given by Simon, members of the Wellawatte Methodist Church Vintage Club designed a cross with imprints of their palms to depict their raising of hands to help carry this heavy cross. It portrays that by lending a hand to Jesus to bear the heavy burden of our sins, we too share and take part in His dreadful journey to Calvary to redeem us of our sins.

On display in the church is this tall colourful cross displaying palm prints of the members of the Vintage Club with each palm print carrying a specific Biblical message. These colourful palm prints cover the entire upright post and the cross beam of the cross.

This is the creative imagination of Sumitha, wife of Rev. Kingsley Weerasinghe - the Minister in charge of the Wellawatte Methodist Church, to muster community support for this Vintage Club of elders.

The palm print cross will be on display in church throughout Holy Week and all are welcome to visit the church for a blessing and to view this beautiful and colourful hand work.

The Good Friday service at the Methodist Church, Wellawatte will be at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 7^th

 (The writer is a member of the WMC Vintage Club)