Easter being celebrated today; special prayers held in churches

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Christians across the world are observing Easter, spreading the message of hope. The celebrations are being held on a grand scale in Kerala too. Midnight Mass and resurrection services were conducted in churches. In his Easter message, Archbishop Thomas J Netto of the Latin Archdiocese called for an end to wars so that peace may prevail in the world. Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, head of the Malankara Catholic Church, urged people to cast their votes according to their conscience in the assembly elections.

At St Mary's Cathedral in Thiruvananthapuram, the prayer services were led by Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos. He reminded the faithful to vote sensibly in the assembly elections and also pointed out that several concerns are emerging regarding the FCRA law. At St Joseph’s Cathedral in Palayam Archbishop Thomas J Netto led the resurrection services.

At Mount St Thomas Church in Kakkanad, Syro-Malabar Church Archbishop Raphael Thattil led the ceremonies. At Devamatha Cathedral in Kozhikode, Archbishop Dr Varghese Chakkalakal led the prayers.

Thomas Mor Timotheos, Metropolitan of the Jacobite Church Kottayam Diocese, said that Easter is a message of hope. Baselios Marthoma Mathews III expressed hope that the dark clouds of unrest causing fear of war across the world will clear, bringing a dawn of peace. Dr Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian, Bishop of the CSI Central Kerala Diocese, stated in his Easter message that in a time when the world is gripped by fear of war, divine peace should prevail.