Jesus Is Crucified

After Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, put on trial before Pilate who found no fault in Him, and handed over to be crucified. Soldiers mocked Him, placed a crown of thorns on His head, and led Him through the streets of Jerusalem carrying a heavy cross to the place called Golgotha — "the Place of the Skull."

There they crucified Him between two criminals. As He hung on the cross, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." He comforted the repentant thief beside Him: "Today you will be with Me in paradise." He looked after His mother Mary, entrusting her to His beloved disciple John. At noon, darkness covered the whole land for three hours. Then Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

The earth shook. The curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The centurion said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" Jesus was not defeated on the cross — He chose it. He took upon Himself the weight of all our sin and paid the price we could never pay. His death opened the door between God and humanity. The Coptic Church commemorates His crucifixion with deep reverence on Great Friday, the most solemn day of the year.