Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Christians around the world, including those in American Samoa, are observing Good Friday today, the day the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross is commemorated.

Good Friday is marked with morning services by some church denominations, especially the Catholic Faith, whose parishioners re-create the final steps Jesus took while carrying his cross to be crucified — they are embodied in the fourteen Stations of the Cross — which usually begins just before sunrise.

Good Friday precedes Easter Sunday, the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ — and will include a wide range of church services territory-wide, followed by an Easter feast.

In his Easter message, Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga said, “Let us pause to reflect on the timeless message it brings — a message of hope, renewal, and profound love.”

He continued, “At the heart of Easter lies the extraordinary gift of God’s Beloved Son,  Jesus Christ — a symbol of unyielding faith and epitome of selflessness. His crucifixion, a testament to divine love, transcends all, offering a beacon of hope amidst the darkest of times…

“As we reflect on the significance of Easter, let us renew our commitment of living lives filled with compassion towards one another…

“On behalf of Lt. Governor La’apui and our families, we wish all the people of American Samoa both here and abroad a very blessed and joyous Easter…

“Let us rejoice, for Christ has risen!”

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata said in her Easter statement to the Territory:

“Have a blessed Easter Sunday as we conclude this Holy Week together. Thank you especially to every pastor and congregation in American Samoa as we worship God in unity. As Christians, all over the world, this Sunday is our most cherished expression of faith in the risen Savior,”

“As we hear news reports of trouble from around the world, or deal with difficulties in our lives, this Sunday is a reminder of our ‘living hope’ so that we can experience peace. May God bless as we celebrate the Resurrection. Happy Easter!”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” I Peter 1:3 NKJV

Last weekend Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in American Samoa gathered for an evening of beautiful music about Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, March 24.

Over 1,500 members and friends of the Church gathered at Mapusaga meetinghouse to enjoy an evening filled with sacred music from eight choirs singing about the ministry of Jesus Christ and His love for all.

The choirs were all dressed in white and sang with smiles and joy. One choir member, Maylene Auapaau, said, “It was an uplifting experience for our family to practice for this event by singing ‘Beautiful Savior’ together.”

Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga declared today a government holiday and all government offices are closed. Employees required to work will receive holiday wages in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

With the three-day weekend, police plan to increase road patrols to keep the territory’s highways safe and Department of Public Safety urges the community to keep peace and harmony at this time, when Christians mark the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Several local businesses are closed to not only observe Good Friday but to allow their workforce to attend morning church services.

In observance of Good Friday, Samoa News did not publish a print issue today.

Samoa News wishes each of you a safe and joyous Easter holiday.

BACKGROUND

Easter is known as a “movable feast” day — so it doesn’t happen on the same date from year to year.

This is because it always occurs on the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or after the March or spring equinox. Or in other words, it’s based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar.

And, the Christian Church decided to simplify calculating Easter’s date by always observing the spring equinox on March 21, despite the fact that the equinox date changes over time and is actually getting earlier.