VAN WERT, Ohio (WLIO) - Christians gathering in Van Wert to celebrate their faith for Good Friday.
During this precession, members of the group carry a wooden cross to emulate the Passion.
A coalition of Van Wert ministers and community members of multiple different churches gathered at Trinity Global Methodist Church. There they sang church hymns and prayed before their walk to across downtown to the First Presbyterian Church.
During this precession, members of the group carry a wooden cross to emulate the Passion, which refers to when Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha, which was the site of his crucifixion. After the precession various community churches gathered for the Good Friday service, talking about the meaning behind Good Friday, which for one local pastor, is kind of a paradox.
"Good Friday is kind of an oxymoron when it comes to the name of it, because we're actually celebrating the death of Jesus Christ," said Matt McGovern, pastor of Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert. "Many people wear black, like I'm wearing today, but the reason that it is good is because He died for us and for our sins. He took place the punishment that man deserves because we're not following God's laws. So we call it 'good', because He did a good thing for mankind."
The tradition of the Good Friday precession in Van Wert has been celebrated for many years, involving many different churches.
