SHILLONG/TURA: Christians across Garo Hills began the annual holy week observance by Palm Sunday to commemorate the triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem by Lord Jesus Christ for the last time before his crucifixion on Good Friday.
Holding palm leaves, the faithful attended special service at various churches in towns and villages across the state.
In the Holy Bible, Christ had paid a visit to Jerusalem city riding on a mule as people welcomed him with open arms waving fig and palm leaves to show their love for him.
Special sermons on the significance of the historical event that occurred centuries ago were delivered during the mass in churches across the state.
The significance of the historical and religious event was narrated to the faithful during service in churches.
In Garo Hills, the oldest church in Tura town- Tura Baptist Church as well as the Catholic churches at the Cathedral and Sacred Heart Shrine saw the presence of large number of faithful.
Giving his homily at the Sacred Heart Shrine, Fr. Theodore Sangma called on the faithful to embrace Christ in totality.
“Many of us believe attending church service will make us good Christians. But if one is not willing to repent for his sins then he cannot be a true Christian,” said Fr. Theodore calling upon devotees to follow the teachings of Christ.
There was minor disturbance to the observance due to rain in parts of Shillong.
Unlike previous years of Palm Sunday observance which were marked with a procession by Catholic faithful waving palm leaves, this time it had to be cancelled due to inclement weather in Tura.
With Palm Sunday ushering in the Holy week, Christians, particularly Catholics, will participate in several religious events beginning with the blessing of the anointing oil at Cathedral Church on Tuesday evening, enacting the washing of the feet of the 12 disciples and the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday evening, special service on Good Friday afternoon which will include devotees’ participation in the 14 Stations of the Cross to remember the last journey of Christ before his crucifixion on Mount Calvary, and the Easter Vigil with the lighting of the lamp to signify the resurrection of Lord Jesus on Easter Sunday.
