Good Friday Service in Durban

The annual Diakonia Council of Churches ecumenical Good Friday service takes place at dawn on Friday 30 March, starting at the Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC) before processing – in silence – through the streets of the city, to the Durban City Hall.

The well-established tradition of the ecumenical Good Friday Service has become a major event in the Durban calendar, attended by thousands of people who gather together at the most auspicious time for Christians, to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his death on Calvary. Each year, the service highlights a particular aspect of national suffering or injustice. The service this year will focus on the theme Do Not Fear, Stand Firm.

“We need to stand firm, even if it means standing alone – standing in truth, in hope, in justice and in faith. The world, and (at times) our country, may seem like it is in turmoil with rampant prejudice, corruption, crime and financial strife and while most of us feel we should rather look away and focus on ourselves, families and work stresses, we must ask ourselves if we are doing what God wants us to do in our land,” says Nomabelu Mvambo-Dandala: Executive Director of Diakonia Council of Churches.

The sermon will be delivered by Revd Thulani Ndlazi – the Synod Secretary of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), a position he has held since 2013.

Meditative singing will start at 5.15am, whereafter the first part of the service will take place at 6.00am. The congregation will proceed through the streets of Durban in silent public witness. The service will conclude at approximately 8.15am at the City Hall with the flowering of the Cross – as an act of commitment by all present to act for a just society and take up God’s call.

Pictured above: The flower covered cross placed at the entrance to the City Hall in 2016.

[Source and image: Diakonia Council of Churches]