Christian communities across Nagaland marked Resurrection Sunday with fervour, highlighting the victory of Jesus Christ over death and the promise of new life.
UBCT: United Baptist Church Toulazouma (UBCT) marked Resurrection Sunday with a historic sunrise service, stepping beyond the church walls to proclaim the message of hope, victory over death and new life in the streets of Toulazouma.
Believers filled the streets with hymns, guitars, drums and joyful voices, declaring the risen Christ. Pastor UBCT, Abeni Lotha, emphasized that the true meaning of Resurrection Sunday lies in personal transformation rather than mere observance. She urged believers to reflect on their lives in light of Christ’s resurrection, cautioning against celebrating the day simply out of tradition. “A transformed life is the true expression of the resurrection,” she said, encouraging the faithful to embody that change daily.
Youth director, Obed Tep Rengma, described the procession as both celebration and proclamation of faith.
He recalled the sorrow and confusion of the disciples after Christ’s crucifixion, likening it to the loss of a loved one, and noted how the resurrection turned despair into joy and renewed hope. He urged believers to lay down their burdens at the cross and proclaim victory in Jesus’ name, quoting Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Church leaders clarified that the walk was not a demonstration but an expression of gratitude and joy.
“We walked with music and prayer to express what true resurrection means to us—that sin is forgiven, hope is alive, and death is not the end,” they said.
Members described the sunrise service and gospel walk as a historic moment, witnessing many come together in faith to proclaim victory through Jesus Christ and affirm the call to carry His light into the world.
SFS Parish Kohima : St. Francis de Sales (SFS) Parish, Kohima Town, celebrated Easter Sunday with fervour, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
A press release from the parish informed that Rev. Fr. Mathew Mhabemo, parish priest and main celebrant, in one of the morning English masses, extended Easter greetings to parishioners while reflecting on the “empty tomb” as a symbol of Christ’s victory over death. He emphasized that failures should not hinder progress but lead to new life and hope.
In his homily, Fr. Mathew recalled the Gospel account of Peter and John rushing to the tomb after Mary Magdalene’s message. He noted that while John outran Peter, it was Peter’s determination to keep running despite his doubts and failures that was significant. “Peter is very much like us. He had his own doubts, failures, denials, and weakness,” he said, urging the faithful to persevere without losing hope.
The parish priest further stressed that failures are part of life, but what matters is how one responds. He encouraged parishioners to learn from Peter’s example, who despite his weaknesses, kept moving forward towards Jesus. “Our failures may weigh us down, but we should keep moving and we too shall find an empty tomb, leaving our old selves behind and receiving new life and hope,” he added.
Highlighting the empty tomb as a symbol of triumph of hope over despair, Fr. Mathew underlined its promise of new life.
The Easter celebrations concluded with an Angami Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Peter, assistant priest of the parish, bringing the weeklong Holy Week observances to a close.
