It is Good Friday in the Orthodox Church, and "today is the day when the Redeemer died," reminds Archbishop Abel of the Orthodox diocese of Lublin and Chełm in south-eastern Poland.

"This is a special period in life for every Christian, and the Orthodox Church is there to help experience the mystery of Golgotha, the tomb of Christ, and to enter the Paschal triumph with joy, and to celebrate the greatest of feasts of the resurrection of Christ," said the Archbishop.

On Thursday the Orthodox faithful remembered the Last Supper, with Holy Masses including the annual washing of the feet, symbolising the humbleness of Christ towards his followers.

There are over half a million Orthodox faithful in Poland, most of which live in the eastern portions of the country.

(jb)