Christians in Nagaland celebrated Easter, the greatest Christian festival, with the rest of the Christian world. In Cathedral Church bishop Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil presided over the vigil service and in Christ King Church Kohima village, he was the main celebrant on Sunday.
The vigil service, which has four segments, began with the blessing and lighting of new fire, from which the paschal candle was lit, symbolizing the divine life of Jesus which was not destroyed on the cross. The faithful, then, in procession proceeded to the Church led by bishop with the lighted paschal candle, showing Christ as the new leader to lead all people to God.
The great Easter proclamation was sung by Rev. Fr. Richard followed by three readings from the old Testament and two from the New Testament.
The bishop preached the homily taking the clue from the Easter egg wherein during spring season Easter was celebrated and the Easter egg symbolizes that all life comes from an egg. Bishop said that Easter was God’s victory over sin and death, the direct consequence of sin. By the resurrection of Jesus, evil was overcome and death is defeated and sins were washed clean by the blood of Jesus so “we” could begin a new life in the friendship and fellowship of Christ, said bishop.
After the homily, the bishop administered the renewal of baptismal promises which was followed by baptism of the new members and the Eucharistic celebration. In both Churches, Easter egg was distributed after the Holy mass. Rev. Fr. Carolus and Salew Peter SDB, the parish priests of the two respective parishes accorded the warm words of welcome to bishop in their respective parishes. The youth choir in both parishes dressed in traditional attire sung melodiously and prayerfully.
SFXC Kidima: St Francis Xavier’s Church Kidima observed Holy Week with principal of St. Xavier’s College, Jalukie Reverend Father Amalanathan Pappusamy as main celebrant on Easter Sunday at church premises.
Reverend Father Amalanathan Pappusamy addressing on the occasion of the risen Jesus Christ from the death said that it was the hope of every faithful to rise from death.
Way of the cross, confession, veneration, reading of the liturgy, making of new fire, Easter light procession, blessing of holy water, sprinkling of holy water to the faithful, renewal of the baptism, baptism followed by the solemn of Eucharist celebration were the highlights of the weeklong programme.
DIMAPUR: Eastern Bible College (EBC) and Nagaland Real Estate (NRE) came together to initiate a sunrise service to celebrate Easter and reach out to the needy, a place frequented mostly by non locals at railway bazaar Dimapur on Sunday.
A press release by programme coordinator, Ato Angami stated that students conducted a short service and performed some songs. It stated that food was also distributed free to the local inhabitants.
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