Easter

Senior Pastor, Jonathan Pine said it was a special event to commemorate what the Lord Jesus did on the cross of Calvary, when he forgave the thief on the cross and promised him a place in paradise, and he repented right there and then.

“Today UNI-Social was without a doubt one of the biggest ones we had. In Gordons alone, we had over 1000 people who received help including many children, families, single mothers, and homeless people.

The day sparks an outpouring of devotion from Christians across the globe, some even go as far as being nailed to a cross.

Here's how it has been marked across the world. 

Pope presides over mass

Pope Francis presided over mass on Good Friday at the Vatican.

The 87-year-old, who has mobility and respiratory issues, arrived in St Peter's with a wheelchair. 

Good Friday mass is one of the few services in which the pope does not deliver a homily. 

Parishioners of the the Holy Spirit Parish started their walk at the Housing Commission where Christians braved the scorching heat of the sun in prayer and songs showcasing praying and meditating on the 14 devotions of Jesus Christ from his condemnation to his crucifixion.

The LOA, which represents the Babuaf tribe one of three SML10 landowner groups for the Wafi-Golpu Project, had used funding grants provided by the Morobe Provincial Government and Mineral Resources Authority to provide this service to their communities.
 
Babauf LOA President, Jack Raban, said they used the funds to secure and construct 12 streetlights to the value of K15,000 and delivered them to churches along the Watut River, including Mafanazo, Uruf, Wampan, Morom, Tsilitsili, Bencheng, Malarina and Wawas villages. 

the police presence around the main crime hotspot areas in the National Capital District during the long Easter season has resulted in fewer serious crimes reported.

There were tents set up throughout the city by the police station commanders and their members who did motorist and foot patrols during the five-day operation that started on Thursday and ended on Monday.

The positive result came about because of the efforts that hard-working police officers had put into making their time available in all the hot spots around the city.

In Port Moresby, the main church was again able to reach more than 500 needy adults and children, giving out food packages, clothes packs and snacks for children.

Universal Church in PNG holds a bi-monthly Uni-social event where homeless and needy people on the streets go in for a feed and to receive a food pack at the church.

This time, it was a collaborative event in 142 countries including PNG. 

The Visit Papua New Guinea campaign, through the Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), donated K7,000 to support the park in these activities.

Abuti Kevin, Director of Corporate Affairs at PNGTPA, commended the park for providing a safe environment for leisure activities and education on natural environment conservation in Papua New Guinea.

She also encouraged families to register early for the park's events and enjoy the fun activities, delicious food, and natural atmosphere.

The four officers were among seven arrested for drunk driving in Lorengau.

PPC Manus, Chief Inspector David Yapu, was frustrated to see the Immigration officers with PNGDF soldiers and civilians misusing hired vehicles, drinking alcohol and driving around in vehicle intended for the use of refugee operations on the island.

Police allege the group, while under the influence of alcohol, also went to a residence and assaulted the owner of a house at ward 1 as well as damaged his properties.

General policing and drunk patrols will be conducted to ensure that the Easter long weekend is celebrated peacefully. 

“We ask that the public observe why Easter is celebrated. It is a celebrated on the Christian calendar and is a time to attend church,” stated police.

The law enforcers will be deployed to all parts of the City to ensure that people move about freely.

Lae Metropolitan Superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, urged the Lae public to respect others by cutting down on noise pollution and drunken behaviour.  

Around midday today, Cardinal Sir John Ribat welcomed the cross brought in by the congregation and parishioners of St Paul.

Despite the extreme heat of the sun, the congregation came in numbers, escorted by traffic police, to the final station.

Cardinal Sir John made an entrance to bless the Cross before it was to be brought into the church.

The veneration of the Cross is scheduled to take place at 3pm this afternoon.

This is known to be the ‘Hour of the Lord’ and believed to be the time that Jesus died on the Cross.