Good Friday today

Wearing a white apron, Benedict poured water over one bare foot of each of the priests, and then dried it with a white cloth. The feet-washing ceremony in St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome symbolises humility.  In accordance with tradition, the doors of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem were unlocked by a member of a Muslim family that has held the key for centuries. The church, in the Old City of Jerusalem, is the holiest Christian location in the world. Meanwhile in Britain, Queen Elizabeth II distributed "Maundy Money" to deserving subjects during a Holy Week service, in accordance with a long-standing tradition. Accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, she handed out specially minted silver coins to recognise the work of elderly church and community volunteers at Derby Cathedral in central England. On the other hand, Catholic penitents in the Philippines carried out their traditional re-enactment of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday - the day that he was crucified. Dozens of Catholic devotees flagellated themselves in the Easter procession through the village of San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga province. In India too, devotees participated in the morning mass to kick start Good Friday celebrations.