Kohima, April 16 (MExN): Christians in Nagaland joined the rest of the Christian world to celebrate the Easter Sunday. Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil presided over the vigil service at the Cathedral Church, and he was the main celebrant at Holy Cross, Dimapur for the Easter day mass.
The vigil service, which has four segments, began with the blessing and lighting of new fire, from which the Paschal candle was lit, symbolizing the divine life of Jesus which was not destroyed on the cross.
Bishop explained the meaning of the variety of symbols used in the liturgy. The Paschal Candle represents also the body of Christ and the Greek letters of Alpha and Omega, together with the year 2017 show that Christ is the Lord of all things, of all times, of all peoples. The five grains INSERT IGNOREed on to the candle symbolizes the five wounds of Christ.
The faithful, then, in procession proceeded to the Church led by Bishop with the lighted Paschal Candle, showing Christ as the new leader to lead all people to God. The great Easter Proclamation was sung by Rev. Fr. Richard. This was followed by three readings from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. After the Old Testament readings, Gloria was sung, alter Candles was lit, the church bell rang symbolizing, Christ’s Resurrection. After the homily, the bishop blessed the water, sign of purification and life, reminding us of our baptism and he administered the renewal of baptismal promises which was followed by baptism of the new members and the Eucharistic celebration.
Bishop speaking to the occasion said in the prelude that ‘We have come here today to celebrate what one preacher called “Greatest Show on Earth” and “Easter is the foundation and the source and reason of Christian faith.”
The bishop in homily said that we must not seek Christ in the graves of the dead, not even among the great men covered with dust by the time, we call history. “At our baptism we accepted the New Life of Christ. Our washing was itself a symbol of dying to a dead world and rising to a new life,” the bishop said.
Rev. Fr. Carolus and Thomas PJ, the parish priests of the two respective parishes accorded the warm words of welcome to bishop in their respective parishes. The novices at Cathedral, youth choir in Dimapur sung melodiously in prayerfully. After the Holy Masses Easter eggs were shared.
This was stated in a press release issued by Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima.
