Christians journey to St. Thomas shrine in Kerala ahead of Good Friday

Malayattoor, Apr 5 (ANI): Scores of Christians trekked to the holy shrine of Saint Thomas in Malayattoor town in Kerala's Ernakulam District to offer special prayers for Good Friday.

Devotees carried heavy wooden crosses as they climb up to the rocky slope leading to the shrine of St. Thomas, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ, symbolic of Christ's suffering before crucifixion.

It is believed that praying at this shrine leads to fulfilment of the wishes and thus devotees throng the venue in large numbers.

"After performing all the prayers and fasting, we carry this cross to the mount and believe that all the grace and blessing of god is with us. That is the reason why we are able to carry the cross and walk all through the way to this place," said Sebastian, a devotee.

"We witnessed a lot of miracles after walking the way of Christ to this mount like many were blessed with children; many were relieved of their diseases. Now I am climbing this mount after having a heart operation for two times without any difficulty and for the past twelve years," said Joseph Martin, another devotee.

The shrine of Saint Thomas is accorded an international status by the Vatican and it is situated at 1,208 feet above sea level.

Good Friday is the culmination of the Lent for the Roman Catholics as well as the Holy week, which starts from Palm Sunday, and it takes place two days before the Easter Sunday, which will be observed this year on April 8. (ANI)