Our Bureau
SHILLONG/JOWAI, Sep 18: The 137th Unitarian Day was celebrated at the Madan Laban Unitarian Church on Wednesday, under the theme ‘Embracing the Divine Path Transcends Our Soul.’ The event marked another year of this unique faith tradition, which has deep roots in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya.
Prominent leaders from various faiths, along with South Shillong legislator Sanbor Shullai, attended the celebration.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah was the guest of honour, while DGP Idashisha Nongrang graced the occasion as the chief guest. The day featured choir performances and several religious functions, further enriching the spiritual significance of the event.
Unitarian Day, a public holiday in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills since 1908, is celebrated annually on September 18. It commemorates the first Unitarian church service led by Hajom Kissor Singh Lyngdoh Nongbri in his home in Jowai in 1887. While the day holds deep historical meaning for Khasi-Jaintia Unitarians, many others simply enjoy the day off, often unaware of its significance.
Unitarianism, though small in numbers, has been a profound intellectual and liberal faith tradition.
Worldwide, it counts influential figures such as Charles Darwin, Thomas Jefferson, and Sylvia Plath among its adherents. However, it has found its strongest foothold in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills, where there are over 45 churches.
Hajom Kissor Singh, the founder of the Unitarian movement in these hills, was a former Presbyterian who questioned the rigid practices of his time. He developed his own liberal, inclusive interpretation of faith, blending Khasi spiritual traditions with modern Unitarian ideas. Singh was not influenced by the Unitarian movement in the West but arrived at these beliefs independently, deeply rooted in his own culture.
Unitarian Church in Jowai marks 137th anniv
Curtain came down on the 137th anniversary celebrations of the Unitarian Church in Jowai on Wednesday with a slew of activities held over the past few days.
Thematised on ‘Lynti ka Niam U Blei ba pynhun Mynsiem’, the final day of the celebration commenced at 8:30 am with a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of the church’s founder, Hajom Kissor Singh, followed by the unfurling of the Unitarian Church flag.
During the noon service, speeches were delivered by Moderator Kiki Pakma, Dawyo Kjam and Homeland Lamar, with a prayer led by Marki Passah.
The service included a pledge, prayer, candle-lighting and a blessing by the Moderator.
In the evening, the church flag was ceremoniously brought down, followed by a torch-lit procession organised by the Seng Samla Unitarian Church to mark the occasion.
The day concluded with an evening service after the procession.