Orthodox Good Friday

Orthodox Good Friday is one of the most solemn and powerful nights in the Christian calendar. Just before midnight, the church gathers in darkness and candlelight to remember the crucifixion of Christ and to walk together through the final moments of Holy Week. This year I had the privilege of photographing the service, and it turned into one of the most meaningful photographic experiences I’ve ever had.

Inside the church, the light from the chandeliers fell across the iconography and the altar while incense slowly filled the air. The service itself is deeply symbolic, and every gesture carries weight. Moments like these are difficult to photograph because they aren’t staged or directed. They unfold slowly and reverently, and the role of the camera is simply to witness them.

One of the greatest honours of the night was being able to photograph Archbishop Makarios of Australia during the service. Watching him lead the liturgy, surrounded by clergy and the congregation, was powerful in itself. Being able to capture those moments through the camera felt like a rare privilege. Some of the images from that night are among my favourite photographs I’ve ever taken.

After the service moved outside, the congregation gathered in the dark holding candles as the procession began. The glow of hundreds of small flames lit faces throughout the crowd while the Epitaphios was carried through the night. The smoke from the incense drifted through the light, creating these quiet, almost cinematic moments that perfectly reflected the solemnity of the night.

For me, photographing Orthodox liturgy always feels different from photographing anything else. There is a depth of symbolism, ritual, and reverence that makes every frame feel significant. This Good Friday service was no exception, and capturing these moments during one of the most sacred nights of the year is something I’ll never forget.