Good Friday

A detail of 15th Century English stained glass in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow. On this Good Friday, I wanted to photograph something of the crucifixion, and remembered there were several images here.

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Luke 23 : 32-34 and 44-46 (New International Version)

We also saw the 17th century Persian carpet - The Garden of Heaven - which is on display for two weeks, until 11 April to celebrate the Naw Ruz New Year festival. It has only been displayed twice in the last thirty years. Quite beautiful, displaying a garden in four quarters divided by water channels that form the letter H.

This evening we attended a very moving Tenebrae (darkness and shadows) service. Modern readings based on the events from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. Low lighting, with many pillar candles, which were blown out one by one after each reading. In the end only the light at the foot of the cross remained.

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