Egypt Daily News – In an atmosphere filled with sorrow and reverence, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, presides over the Good Friday prayers, also known as “Sad Friday”—from the St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbassia on Friday morning.
Participating in the prayers are several general bishops from Cairo, priests from the cathedral’s churches, and the chanters (deacons) of the Anba Reweis Theological College, along with a large popular attendance. The prayers meticulously follow a timeline of the events of Christ’s crucifixion, starting from His arrest, through His trials, and ending with His death and burial. These events are observed through six consecutive daytime hours of prayer.
Good Friday marks the peak of Holy Week, which began with Palm Sunday. On this day, the Coptic Church commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ—a pivotal moment of redemption in Christian belief. It is considered the holiest and most significant day in Christianity, as it represents the culmination of the journey of salvation, from the incarnation to the cross.
Copts commemorate Good Friday in an atmosphere of deep solemnity. The prayers last for 12 continuous hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., without interruption. On this day, deacons wear mourning garments and chant sorrowful hymns of ancient Egyptian origin, expressing grief over Christ’s crucifixion.
Markos Milad: The Greatest Day in Christianity, Observed with Mournful Prayers
Church researcher Markos Milad said that Good Friday, also known as “Great Friday,” is considered the most sacred and important day in Christianity, marking the crucifixion of Jesus between two thieves, completing the act of salvation and redeeming humanity from original sin.
Milad explained that the church begins the day early with the Holy Pascha prayers, distributed across six daytime hours (Prime, Third, Sixth, Ninth, Eleventh, and Twelfth). Each hour follows the journey of Christ moment by moment, from His trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, then Pilate and Herod, to the sentencing, scourging, crucifixion, death, and burial.
Each prayer hour includes readings from the Old Testament prophecies, followed by a short hymn, a Gospel passage relevant to the hour, an explanation, and a concluding supplication. The prayers include long, mournful hymns that last between 10 and 30 minutes.
Among the most well-known hymns are “O Only Begotten Son” and “Golgotha,” which are chanted only once a year on Good Friday. Some studies suggest these hymns have Pharaonic origins. For instance, the “Golgotha” melody resembles ancient military funeral marches used in the burial of Pharaohs and was later incorporated into the Coptic liturgy. One notable ritual during this day is the “400 Metanias Prayer,” where the church offers prayers for mercy, asking for relief from inflation, disease, death, and disasters.
After Good Friday ends, the church begins preparations for “Holy Saturday Vigil,” which lasts until early dawn and includes joyful prayers in anticipation of the Resurrection of Christ. Regarding fasting, Milad noted that Copts refrain from food and drink from midnight on Thursday until 6 p.m. Friday—a fast lasting about 18 hours. The fast is broken by consuming vinegar, symbolizing what Christ was offered on the cross when He asked for water and was given vinegar.
Fr. Yousab Ezzat: The 400 Metanias Symbolize the Journey of World Salvation
Fr. Yousab Ezzat, professor of canon law at the Clerical College, explained that the word “Metania” comes from the Greek metanoia, meaning repentance or change of heart. In the Coptic liturgy, it refers to a prostration of repentance and submission before God.
He noted that the ritual of 400 Metanias performed on Good Friday symbolizes the 400 months from Christ’s birth to His crucifixion, representing His entire earthly ministry. Through this act, the Church emphasizes that every moment of Christ’s life was part of the salvation journey, culminating in the cross and resurrection.
Prostrating in the four cardinal directions also holds symbolic meaning, signifying that Christ’s incarnation was for the salvation of the whole world. The Church prays in all directions to express that God is everywhere and that salvation is offered to all nations, not only to the Jews.
Regarding the famous “Golgotha” hymn, which concludes the Good Friday prayers, Fr. Yousab explained that its roots are ancient and Pharaonic. It was reportedly used in royal mummification ceremonies, including those of kings like Khufu, and was later adapted by St. Athanasius the Apostolic in the 4th century. He retained the original melody while adding Coptic words, with some old Greek terms still preserved. According to the philosopher Philo of Alexandria, early Christians adapted this hymn from ancient Egypt, giving it a Christian character.
The Way of Suffering: A Sacred Path Following the Cross
Adeeb Joudeh Al-Husseini, Keeper of the Key of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, said that the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem’s Old City is one of the holiest pilgrimage paths in Christianity. It retraces the route Jesus walked while carrying His cross from His trial to the site of His crucifixion and burial.
This path comprises 14 stations, beginning near the schools district close to St. Stephen’s Gate (“Lion’s Gate”) and ending within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Each station marks a moment from Christ’s journey to the cross and is deeply revered.
The Holy Shroud: A Silent Testimony of Redemption
Fr. Yousab also spoke about one of the most profound symbols of Christ’s passion, the Holy Shroud. This cloth, used to wrap Jesus’ body after the crucifixion, stands as a silent witness to His suffering, burial, and resurrection.
He said, “The Holy Shroud illustrates the pain that Christ endured for humanity’s salvation. It’s as if we are standing at the foot of the cross, witnessing every moment alongside St. John and the Virgin Mary.” According to church tradition, the shroud was purchased by Joseph of Arimathea and used to wrap Christ’s body. Upon His resurrection, Jesus left the shroud in the tomb, and it was kept by the apostles.
The shroud’s journey through history took it from Edessa, where St. Thaddeus took it to King Abgar V, to Constantinople, then France, and finally to Turin, Italy, where it is now displayed in the Turin Cathedral, drawing immense religious and scientific attention.
It is a single cloth with a 9 cm-wide strip sewn along its left side. According to early scientific research beginning on November 22, 1973, the shroud measures 4.35 meters long and 1.09 meters wide. It carries a faint double image of a man, front and back of strong build, long hair, and a beard. The cloth, yellowed by time, aligns with Jewish burial customs of the era.
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