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Members of the Cathedral Church at Kohima observe Palm Sunday, on April 14 in Kohima town.[/caption]
Dimapur, April 14 (EMN): Symbolising the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the St. Xavier Catholic Church at Kidima village in Kohima observed Palm Sunday by going on a procession from Thokhwezu to the church on April 14.
Rev. Fr. Siby John, parish priest, was the main celebrant of the event, updates informed. In his homily, Fr. Siby John said Palm Sunday, a passion of Jesus Christ, is observed as a day for rejoicing
According to the Catholics, the holy week begins from Palm Sunday which is observed and worshipped with devotion and confession; and then to the Last Supper of the Lord with his apostles; washing of the apostles’ feet; Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane; the crucifixion of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Reading on the passion of Christ, Holy Mass, and singing the hymns were the highlights of the daylong celebrations, it was informed.
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Members of St. Xavier Catholic Church at Kidima village seen here in a procession from Thokhwezu to the church, symbolising the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, on April 14 in Kohima.[/caption]
In a similar programme, members of the Cathedral Church at Kohima celebrated Palm Sunday on April 14 at the PHQ junction in Kohima.
The celebration was marked by prayers and Bible reading among others, it was informed. People shared in the joy of proclaiming the glorious entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, by singing ‘Hosanna’ and holding Palm leaves, the updates stated.
The procession took place at 9:00 am at the police headquarters and culminating at the cathedral.
Christ King Church in Kohima village also celebrated Palm Sunday on April. Fr. Paul, parish priest of Christ King parish at Kohima village, was the main celebrant, it was informed.
Elsewhere in Dimapur, the MGOS church at Midland celebrated Palm Sunday on April 14 with the faithful. There was a special Palm Sunday service from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon with a procession and a Holy Communion, updates from the church’s media cell informed on Sunday.
Vicar Rev. Fr.Dr.PS Varghese led the service. In his sermon, the church leader was stated to have explained the term ‘Hosanna,’ which means 'Save.'
In the city of Jerusalem, people gave a royal reception to Lord Jesus. It is the remembrance of that great day. By celebrating all the historical events, the church and devotees try to have an experience with Christ and his redemptive economy in this world,’ the updates stated.
According to the organisers, the reverend preached from the book of Revelations 7:9, Saint John’s revelation on the Island of Padmos: "After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”
The church’s media cell informed that there would be prayers every day at 5:45pm on Passion Week. On Maundy Thursday, the updates stated, prayers will start at 5:00 am followed by Paschal Service. On Good Friday, morning prayers will start at 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
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On Gospel Saturday, there will be a Holy Communion at 9:30 while the Easter service will be starting early morning at 5:00 am on Sunday, the updates stated.
In Kohima, the Kerala Christian congregation will be led by Rev. Fr. Jojo Joseph in all the Passion Week services, the updates informed.
Palm Sunday is a Christian feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels.
In most liturgical churches Palm Sunday is celebrated by the blessing and distribution of palm branches or the branches of other native trees representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Christ as he rode into Jerusalem.
The difficulty of procuring palms in unfavourable climates led to their substitution with branches of native trees, including box, olive, willow, and yew.
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The Sunday was often named after these substitute trees, as in Yew Sunday, or by the general term Branch Sunday.
(Source: Wikipedia)