By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 5: Easter Sunday, also called Resurrection Sunday, was celebrated with great devotion across Meghalaya, especially in Shillong, where thousands of worshippers attended church services to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Shillong, churches were full of people attending early morning services and prayers throughout the day. Similar celebrations took place across the state, with families exchanging greetings and taking part in religious events that highlighted the meaning of Easter.
Major Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church, Church of God, and Baptist Church, organised special activities such as sunrise services, Easter sermons, and choir performances. These events gave people a chance to pray together and reflect on the significance of the day.
Easter comes after Good Friday, which marks Christ’s crucifixion, and is the most important event in the Christian calendar. The festival also ends the 40-day period of Lent, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection that recalls Jesus’ time in the desert.
In Shillong, the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians was led by Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh in the Grotto Chapel. Across parishes, the vigil included candlelight processions and the renewal of Baptismal promises, creating a spiritual and meaningful atmosphere.
Annual Easter Dance
St Joseph’s Parish, Laitkor, organised its annual Easter dance celebration on Sunday to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking the third consecutive year of the event.
The programme began with a procession from the church premises to the dance ground. The procession was led by priests, followed by brothers, sisters, and participants dressed in traditional attire, including both young men and women.
Upon reaching the venue, the Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Parish, Fr Francis Kharpan, offered prayers and blessed the ground before the commencement of the dance.
Speaking on the occasion, St Joseph’s Socio and Cultural Organisation president, Kynmawlang Wankhar, said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most joyous occasions for the Church and the community at large.
He expressed happiness at witnessing a large number of young men and women dressed in traditional attire, participating in the celebration.
He said the gathering reflected their joy and also served as an expression of gratitude and praise to the Creator.
Wankhar further noted that the event provides a platform to showcase the rich and unique cultural identity of the Khasi community.
He added that the celebration also promotes unity, as people from different faiths came together to take part in the programme.
Highlighting the inclusive nature of the event, he stated that participants were not limited to the members of Catholic Church alone, but also included youths from other religious backgrounds, demonstrating unity and harmony among members coming from different churches and religion.
