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Good Friday, is one of the saddest days in the lives of the Hiaki people who observe the agony of Jesus because it was on that day that He gave His life for His children. We are the children of Jesus, and because the people were bad in those years, long ago, Jesus who walked upon this earth, offered his life so that, we, his children would not suffer die and go to the recesses of Hell.

On the evening of Good Friday, you will, once again see all the beautiful, colorful and fragrant flowers that people bring to Jesus who has died and is lying on a beautiful blanket and pillow that someone has made especially for Him. Candles surround Jesus as he lies on the special cloth. People make money offerings and place them in a special basket, which is placed at the foot of Jesus. On this sad day, almost everyone wears the dark clothing that symbolizes our sadness and mourning. One can see that some members of the tropa (Fariseos) are also dressed in black garments as well. It is indeed a very sad time for the Catholics around the world, but it is especially sad for the Hiaki people who see that Jesus, a humble and innocent man, gave His life for us.

Finally, at midnight on Good Friday, the ladies of the "Church Society", who are known as "Kiyohteis" and the "Tenanchis" begin to decorate the church, the Pahko ramada and the Community Kitchen, as they know that Jesus has returned from the dead. It is a day of celebration and happiness. In the morning, when people start to gather to see the ceremony that symbolizes Christ returning from the dead, or the "Gloria" they will find the church and altar, as well as the Pahko ramaa and kitchen bedecked with flowers. The people also dress in their best clothing, the men in new slacks and shirts, and the ladies in beautiful garments. The children are also dressed up, but by the end of the day, they are all dirty, because they have been eating candy apples, snow cones and drinking cold beverages. We are also happy to see old friends and relatives that we have not seen for well over a year.

It is a very special day for those people who attend the ceremonies. Both Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday are very happy days for the Hiaki people who believe in the teachings of Christianity. Generally, throughout the year, we Hiakis do not attend church services regularly. However, during the seven weeks of Lent we observe and participate in the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord. Why are Hiakis very happy on those two days? Because not only are we celebrating the new life of Our Creator, but also new hope, a new start and life renewed for our loved ones and ourselves. For those of us who participate in the ceremonies, it is especially a happy and joyful day, because we have lived to walk the path of Jesus and sometimes it is a hard and tiring path. But the happiness we feel far outweighs the tiredness, the aching feet, the sleeplessness and the cold and heat that we experienced during the seven weeks of Lent. We are thankful and happy because we lived to see a new and joyful Easter season. We have all prayed for the recovery of good health for our loved ones and ourselves. We all pray that we will live long enough to participate and celebrate yet another Easter season.

This is why the flowers are very important to everyone, but especially, to the Hiaki people. They represent our joy and our happiness for the new life and new beginnings that our Creator has given to us.

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