Christians around the world celebrate an important event in their religion, Easter Day, which is believed to mark the resurrection of Jesus, three days after being crucified. Many Christians, including Protestants and Catholics, celebrate it by worshiping to church on Easter days, though for some people who rarely do it on other Sundays. They celebrate Easter in Indonesia by having various activities. Here we go, in these following paragraphs we would like expand of how do Indonesians celebrate Easter.
- Kamis Putih
What is Kamis Putih? Kamis Putih is the Thursday worship in Indonesian language. For Catholics, the celebration of Thursday is a celebration of the last night’s supper that Jesus Christ made with his disciples before he was arrested, tried, crucified, died, and rose on Easter Sunday. What distinguishes this celebration from other celebrations is the foot wash service. This worship wishes to reveal Jesus’ main message in the last supper to be a servant to his disciples and to each person.
- Jumat Agung
Jumat Agung in English is called Good Fiday. Good Friday is a tribute to remember the day on which Jesus was crucified. This moment happened before Easter Sunday. Good Friday is considered a day to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for the good of mankind. So today, Christians fast and pray to Jesus. This marks the beginning of the celebration of the ascension of Jesus after the crucifixion.
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- Holly Saturday
It is celebrated in a state of silence and with a prayer commemorating Christ who has died and is in the grave. Mass is not held. In case of death, the remaining Eucharistic hosts of the Liturgies in the previous two days are used as viaticum. The tabernacle is left empty and open. Lamps or candles are usually placed next to the Tabernacle representing Christ’s Extinguished Exit, and the Eucharist is stored elsewhere, usually in the sacristy, with a lamp or candle burning in front of it.
- The Easter Night
The Easter night is called the Parent of all vigils (St. Augustine). On this night the Church watches for the resurrection of Christ. So the Passover night must be held at night. Because the Easter night is the culmination of all the liturgical celebrations of the Church, it should be as beautiful as possible with all possibilities of decoration, layout, officers, people, choirs, other symbols (candles), etc. The Passover night festivities consist of light celebrations and Exsultet, the celebration of the Word (provided 9 complete readings), the celebration of baptism or renewal of the baptismal promise and the Eucharist.
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- Torch Parade
The torch parade is an activity performed by the church for the people to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The history of why is called a torch parade, the thing is that since this parade, the congregation will walk around the church environment with a torch (a bamboo lamp that has been filled with kerosene and axis above it in order to be burned). Activity of carrying the torch is done since long time ago because the era of illumination on the road has not been very minimal, not as much now. But this tradition continues to be brought up to now.
- Finding the Easter Egg
After torch parade finished, then continued by an activity in the church searching for Easter eggs that are hidden in the church area. This activity becomes very interesting because it will be followed by all ages, both children and parents, they will try to find Easter eggs. Although it may be just a regular boiled egg that is hidden, but there is happiness when we find the egg in Easter period. This Easter egg-searching activity means a better life after Easter. The congregation is expected to be a person who has let go of bad behavior in the past and try to live forward with a new heart and good behavior.
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- Cross Creation
Creation of the cross is an activity to make a replica of the Cross of Jesus to be placed in the church environment area. In this creation of the cross, there will usually be three crosses to be made. It is made to describe the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus on Golgotha and aims to interpret the death of the Lord Jesus who has saved mankind from sin. The creations of the cross also provide space for young Christian Christians to bring out their creative side in designing and making materials to shape the cross.
- Momento Mori in Central of Borneo
The Passover feast also means gathering with the extended family. Usually at Easter time all family members come together and go to church for services. Most Christians in Central Kalimantan will also perform the Momento Mori tradition. The Momenti Mori tradition is a tradition of pilgrimage to family meals, this pilgrimage is unique because it usually takes place from noon on Holy Saturday until dawn on Easter night.
- Semana Santa Tradition in Flores Timur
The other name of Semana Santa is the Holy Week which is celebrated for four consecutive days. The ritual begins on a White Thursday and will end on Easter Sunday. The top procession falls on Good Friday or called Sesta Vera. The congregation performed the Tikam Puro ritual in the afternoon on Thursday in order to prepare the path to be extended. The congregation will install candles along the path. The Statue of the Virgin Mary called the locals as Mr. Ma will be bathed and worn in black, purple, or blue velvet suits.
- Kure Tradition
Kure is an Easter tradition performed by the community of Kote, Noemuti District, North Central Timor (TTU), East Nusa Tenggara. The word “Kure” comes from Latin meaning praying while visiting Catholic families. This tradition begins by cleansing the statues of Jesus and Mary brought by the Portuguese. Members of the tribe then handed the offering to God in the form of money, fruits, vegetables, betel, and areca nut. Later, these offerings will be distributed to pilgrims, prayer groups, and visitors who attend the procession.
- Visiting Maria Cave
Maria cave is also often used as a place of prayer and contemplation. Many people of Kulon Progo choose to celebrate Easter by doing pilgrimage to the Maria Caves. One of them is located in Kulon Porogo, Yogyakarta. The celebration of Easter day in the Cave of Maria is usually done simply and recompensed with a thanksgiving prayer.
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- Cross Walking in Wonogiri
The procession of the cross is also usually present at Easter celebrations in the world. In Indonesia, the procession of the cross is also done in many areas in Gung Gandul, Wonogiri. The Easter celebration in Wonogiri is also enlivened by Cross Walking by Catholics. Â Cross walking means walking with bringing the replica of the cross. The procession of the Cross Walking is usually followed by thousands of people who wish to pray together.
Those are how Indonesians Celebrate Easter. Some of them are categorized as unique traditions that only happen in Indonesia. Tradition may be different, but the meaning of the Easter Day must remain the same for all of Christians in the world. So, what do you do in celebrating Easter Day?
