Churches in Nagaland observed Resurrection Sunday to mark the day of resurrection of Jesus Christ.
MGOS Church: MGOS Church, Dimapur observed Resurrection Services on Sunday morning, 5 a.m to 9 a.m.
For Orthodox Christians, it was the culmination of 50 days lent which began on February 11.
This year Passion Week services from Hosanna to Resurrection were lead by Vicar Rev. Fr. P.S.Varghese along with Rev. Fr.Jojo Joseph from Kerala.
On Maundy Thursday, the Holy Paschal Service was conducted by Rev. Fr. Jojo.
On Good Friday, the service started with morning, third-hour, Noon, and ninth-hour prayers, procession, veneration of Holy Cross, meditation etc.
On Easter Sunday morning prayer started followed by the Easter Service and Holy Communion. Devotees from nearby areas and all church members participated with prayer and repentance.
After service, the church organized a farewell program for two of its members: Varghese Mathew of SEWAK and James Daniel.
An Easter vigil mass was held at St.Francis de Sales celebrated by parish priest Rev. Fr. Richard Fernandes as worshippers prepared for Easter Sunday in Kohima.
St. Francis de Sales: Thousands of parishioners of St. Francis de Sales (SFS) participated at the Way of the Cross service held on Good Friday at Kohima local ground.
A press release from SFS stated that during veneration of the Cross, the unveiling of crucifix was presided over by parish priest of SFS, Rev. Fr. Richard Fernandes. He exhorted the parishioners on the suffering of Christ, whose first words on his suffering was “Father forgive them, they do not know what they do”. Fernandez underlined the words to emphasize the fact that Jesus forgave those who made Him suffer and appealed the crowd to pray for those who harm and persecute others.
Fr. Fernandes urged the faithful to not “lose hope and give up on faith in life when we feel we are abandoned” because Jesus did not lose hope even when He cried out to God after experiencing agonising pain on the cross.
He concluded that Jesus fulfilled His mission after offering His soul to God saying “it is accomplished” and breathed His last. Fernandes said, “Jesus was sent to repent for sins and bring back people to God”. He further said as Christ suffered death and was resurrected fulfilling the mission given by God, believers were also called to fulfil the mission and goal God had entrusted everyone.
SXCC: St. Xavier’s Catholic Church (SXCC) Kidima observed the Holy Week from March 25 to April 1 at Kidima village.
A press release from SXCC stated that Rev. Fr. Thomas Muttathil, parish priest, in the introductory note of the Last Supper of the Lord celebration on March 29, said it’s observance was the remembrance of Jesus who sacrificed for Himself humanity.
The father asked the faithful to by joyful and happy in preparation to celebrate in a worthy manner. On Good Friday, Rev. Fr. Muttathil said that Jesus, the Saviour of the world, died on the cross for love. During Easter Vigil in his homily, Rev. Fr. Muttathil said Christ died for “our” sins and He was alive.
Reverend Father C. Joseph from St Joseph College Jakhama was the main celebrant on Palm Sunday. Sister A. Salomi, superior of Franciscan Sisters of Saint Mary of the Angels (FSMA) also gave a sermon and shared greetings in the joy and happiness of the risen Lord.
Sister Superior explained the meaning of Easter that had given joy and hope. She asked the faithful to receive the grace of generosity, love and forgiveness and experience this grace in day to day life.