Good Friday Celebration

Do you know that thousands of Catholics and non-catholic celebrate Good Friday in St. Peter’s Church Melaka, Malaysia, yearly?

Let me share with you, every year, this oldest church will be thronged by locals and those from other states. There are even pilgrims coming as far as from Singapore, Australia and U.K. to join the event.

Brief History of St. Peter’s Church and Good Friday Celebration

StPetersChurchMelaka The Historical St. Peter's Church Malacca.
Photo taken by Derrick Teh

St. Peter’s Church is the oldest church in Malaysia. It was built in 1710 by the Portuguese missionaries.

As you stand in front of this old church, you could see that it bears a common resemblance to those churches found in Macao and Goa, India. This church has a mixed of Occidental and Oriental design in the architecture.

Do you want to know when the Good Friday procession and veneration of centuries old statues starts? This event could be traced back to the late 1500’. It was introduced by the Augustinian Monks and later spread to the locals (non-Catholic).

Why do people throng St. Peter’s Church?

Probably this is the only church nationwide to have a life-size alabaster statue of Jesus Christ before Resurrection.

As for me, a non-Catholic probably it’s because it has been a tradition passed down from my family to participate this event which is known as “Datuk Mati” literally means the death of the God.

What do we do there? We will make wishes while holding a pair of white candles; kiss the feet of the life-size alabaster statue of Jesus Christ and bring some scented flowers (bunga rampai) home. As a child the whole process may seem to be slightly eerie due to the sober environment.

If you have not participated or seen the procession, do travel to St. Peter’s church in Melaka. The throng crowds and thousands of burning white candles are a sober spectacle and certainly, a sight to behold.