Devotees congregated in large numbers in churches where senior prelates led special prayers to mark the day.
In most places, processions were taken out with devotees bearing wooden crosses depicting the final hours of Jesus, from his condemnation to placing the body in the tomb after his crucifixion on Mount Golgotha.
Hundreds of pilgrims carrying heavy wooden crosses trekked to St Thomas church atop the hillock at Malayattoor in Ernakulam district, believed to be have been sanctified by the visit of apsotle St Thomas, who preached the message of Jesus Christ in India.