Easter Sunday, commemorating the historic resurrection of Jesus Christ, was celebrated with traditional fervour in Central Travancore.
People thronged various churches on the eve of Easter to attend special prayer service marking the culmination of the Holy Week. Priests lifted the wooden cross amid prayers as a symbolic resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Believers took out candle light processions in the early hours of Sunday, celebrating the historic resurrection.
Breaking silence
Church bells chimed on Saturday midnight, breaking the silence of mourning since Friday, which was observed as Good Friday commemorating the passion of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
Believers turned out in large numbers to attend the special Easter service at St Paul’s and St Peter’s Church at Parumala, St John’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Thiruvalla, St Stephen’s Cathedral and St Peter’s Cathedral in Pathanamthitta, and at Mar Ignatius Diara Church at Manjanikkara to attend the Easter service.
The service began around 10.30 p.m. on Saturday and continued till early Sunday morning.
Believers observed the week ahead leading to Easter Sunday as the Passion Week during which they commemorate Jesus Christ’s suffering, Last Supper, death on the Cross and ther Resurrection. It was customary for the believers to observe a 40-day Lent, period of fasting and discipline, recalling Christ’s 40-day ordeal in the wilderness after his baptism.
Rush of devotees
People also thronged the St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral at Adoor, St Thomas Mar Thomas Church at Kozhenchery, Vallamala St Mary’s Orthodox Church, St Mary’s Knanaya Church at Ranni, Vanchithra Mar Behahnania Orthodox Church near Kozhencherry, St Ignatius Orthodox Church at Kaipatoor, Kadambanad St Thomas Cathedral near Adoor, Kallooppara St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Mary Matha Feronah Church in Pathanamthitta, and at St Thomas Orthodox Church at Niranom to attend the Easter service.
‘Divine Humiliation’
The Thiruvalla Male Voices and Choral Society has performed an Easter carol ‘Divine Humiliation’ at St Thomas Evangelical Church of India Hall at Manjady in Thiruvalla on Saturday night.
Easter message
Bishop Thomas Samuel of Church of south India, the society patron, presided over the opening ceremony and Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Church delivered the Easter message.
Prof Jacob Kurien, society director and music director, led the choir that presented Easter songs.
