The Tenyidie Lord’s Prayer was unveiled at Jerusalem’s Pater Noster Church on Mount of Olives on October 24
DIMAPUR — The Lord’s Prayer in Tenyidie, the language of the Angami community, was unveiled at the Pater Noster Church on Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives on October 24, marking a milestone for Angami Catholic community.
A press release on Sunday stated that the plaque was installed through the initiative of the Pater Noster Committee of Angami Catholic Union (ACU), following a process that began during the union’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October 2018.
According to Nosazol Charles, convenor of the committee, the idea took shape after the pilgrims visited the church. The ACU subsequently constituted the committee at its central executive committee meeting on December 8, 2018, to pursue the installation.
Charles said that the inscription was more than a plaque, symbolising the community’s faith, linguistic heritage and connection with the wider Christian world. He added that it affirmed the significance of people being able to pray in their mother tongue.
The Tenyidie translation of the Lord’s Prayer was done by the late Sousahie Philip Dzüvichü of Kohima village, whom Charles acknowledged as the first Angami catechist and the first president of ACU.
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He credited Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India, for forwarding the petition to the authorities concerned in Jerusalem after visiting Nagaland in March 2022. Permission for the installation was secured with support from the French Consulate General in Jerusalem and Rev. Fr. Luc Pareydt, then adviser for religious affairs.
Charles also acknowledged the efforts of Rev. Fr. James Kulvi, SJ, and the Bishop of Kohima, Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, in following up on the proposal.
He thanked the Carmelite Sisters at the Pater Noster Church for arranging the installation in the absence of committee members.
The plaque was formally inaugurated by Dr. Seyiekhrietuo John, president of the ACU, and blessed by Rev. Fr. Dr. Keduolhou George, principal of St. Joseph College (Autonomous), Jakhama. The gathering recited the prayer inscribed on the plaque and sang a hymn.
The programme was followed by a Holy Mass at the Pater Noster Chapel, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Vilasal Godfrey Thapo, director of the Global Holistic Health Centre, Jalukie.
Charles expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, whom he described as the chief benefactor for sponsoring the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, as well as the state government and the Minority Affairs department.
The plaque will remain accessible to visitors and worshippers wishing to recite the Lord’s Prayer in Tenyidie, the committee stated.