With prayers, meditation, and midnight rituals, churches in the capital city ushered in Christmas, Wednesday night.
While cardinal Baselios Cleemis led the faithful in prayers and mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, it was archbishop M. Soosa Pakiam who led the special prayers at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Palayam. Special prayers were also held in churches, across denominations, such as Mateer Memorial Church at LMS Junction, Madre De Deus Church at Vettucaud, and the Syrian denomination churches at Spencer Junction and Punnen Road.
A special ritual at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at the two other Syrian-tradition churches was the ‘Thee Uzhalicha’ ceremony where the faithful offered frankincense or to a bonfire of ‘Kurutthola.’
A Correspondent adds: Even as the capital city was steeped in the spirit of Christmas, it was festivity unbridled at the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare where children became angels and Santas.
The festive spirit was palpable at the brightly lit council hall which sported balloons, festoons, stars, and the Christmas tree.
A decorated crib in a make-believe manger served to remind everyone what the festival was all about. At hand to add to the celebrations of the 28 residents of the council was District Collector Biju Prabhakar who also led the children in cutting a Christmas cake.
Council Administrative Officer P. Sasidharan Nair said the children could stay at the council only till they attained six years of age.
