Devout gather to mark Easter

 HYDERABAD: The Resurrection Day of Lord Jesus Christ is commemorated with prayers and meditation while hymns celebrating the Son of God and sunrise service in churches mark Easter festivities. Most families prefer to attend combined services in their respective churches, which usually arrange them in bigger venues to accommodate large congregations.

The Methodist Boys High school at Abids celebrated Easter sunrise for the Centenary Methodist congregation of over thousands of families.
 
Resident bishop Dr. M.A. Daniel preached about Christ conquering death and how Easter was special for every Christian. The service was attended by Rev. Dr A. Steeven, Rev. C.G. Dayanand, Rev. Muthu M. John, Rev. Ashok Swalikar, Rev. Joseph Christopher, Rev. M. Joseph, Rev. Y.M. Bhasker and Rev. M. Jaya Paul.

Sukhalatha Dayanand from the Kannada congregation said, “The sunrise service of Easter gives all of us a special feeling of oneness as all denominations assemble here. This provides an opportunity to meet our friends and relatives.”

At St John the Baptist church, AS Rao Nagar, its choir master Paul Sujit Sanjeev said, “The hymns of celebrations rendered during the services to proclaim the risen and the victory music set the tone for celebrations.”

The Lord’s Church, Bowenpally, had the presence of around 7,000 persons for the Easter service. Pastor Raj Prakash Paul preached about Easter and how Christ conquered death. “Through Christ, we have imbibed the spirit of forgiveness,” he said.

The newly constructed CSI Wesley Church Ramkote, had multiple services and it attracted a houseful gathering, who listened attentively when Rev John Spurgeon delivered the message of Easter.

At St Joseph Cathedral, vigil mass was celebrated by Vicar General Fr Bala Showry Reddy, who rang the church bells to mark the commencement of the celebrations.

In households, the day saw distribution of Easter eggs and Easter Bunnies.

Isaac, Ezra and Gabrielle said “Easter eggs symbolize the dawn of a new life. After the midnight Vigil Mass, our parents readied Easter eggs on the table by the time we woke up late.”