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Dimapur, April 10 (EMN): Churches across Nagaland celebrated Palm Sunday on April 10 by observing devotional services and undertaking processions. Palm Sunday is celebrated across Christendom to signify the triumphal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. It marks the first day of the Holy Week.
The St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Kidima village under Kohima diocese observed ‘Palm Sunday’ with its parish priest, Rev. Fr. Siby John, as the main celebrant on April 10. In his homily, Fr. Siby John stated that people who have accepted Christ as ‘King and Messiah’ observed Palm Sunday to celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem.
Drawing analogy of the people who shouted ‘Hosanna in the highest’ and ‘Crucify Him,’ Fr. Siby John stated that holy and evil always co-exist in human life. As the ‘Holy Week’ begins from Palm Sunday, he asked the faithful to prepare more time in prayers, an update from the church stated.
It added that the congregation undertook a procession from Thokhwezu (the village view point where 30- 35 villages could be seen with naked eye) and culminated at the church.
In another programme, MGOS Church in Dimapur conducted a Hosanna service and took out a procession. For Orthodox Christians, Passion Week is a special week for special prayers as the word ‘Hosanna’ means 'Save us now O Lord.'
It informed that the Passion Week at MGOS Church this year would be led by Vicar Rev. Fr. Dr. PS Varghese from April 10 the 16th. It added that there would be a special prayer programme every evening from 5:45 to 6:45 pm.
On Maundy Thursday, the Holy Paschal service would start at 5 am followed by Holy Communion, while the Good Friday service would start from 8 am to 2:30 pm. On Easter Sunday, the morning prayer service would start at 5 am.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the Holy week, St. Andrew Parish in Thyenyizumi conducted a three-day spiritual retreat for Catholic women from Chetheba, K Basa, Chozuba, Yoruba, Thurutsuswu, Seckruzu, Ruzazho and Thenyizumi.
Fr. Sunny Kanjirakkat and Fr. C Joseph delivered messages during the retreat, while the parish priest Fr. Sojan Puthenkudy led the Palm Sunday service.
In Jotsoma Don Bosco Hostel campus (St. Chong Hasang Church), the Palm Sunday service was held with the blessings of the palms and procession.
In both the places, the focus of preaching was given on the Paschal Triduum which is the period of three days beginning with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday, Way of the Cross on Good Friday and conclusion of Easter on Sunday.
Fr. C. Joseph, counselor at St. Joseph’s College, while leading the Palm Sunday celebration at DBH, Jotsoma, asked the congregation to journey with Jesus to Calvary so that with accomplishing his mission on the Cross, all might wait in hope for Jesus' resurrection and celebrate Easter.