Kohima, April 12: As Churches have remained closed due to coronavirus pandemic, the celebration of Easter Sunday – the resurrection of Jesus Christ – was a low key affair this year in Nagaland as in other parts of the world.
There were no Church services and no triumphant meals with extended family and friends this year due to the lockdown. Unlike previous years, this year’s celebration was different as celebrations and Church services went online, and through social media. The COVID-19 has forced Christians to worship online.
In Nagaland, church organizations had asked Churches to cancel common celebrations and opt for family celebration this Easter Sunday. A common Sunrise Service – a gathering of all faiths supposed to be conducted at Commonwealth Cemetery here was cancelled.
Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) had earlier asked its Church to observe “family sunrise service”, and people followed that suggestion this morning from 4 am onwards.
“Though we will not be able to congregate to conduct public sunrise service, we call upon every family to come out of their homes from 4.45 am to 5.40 am to conduct family sunrise service in the compound of their houses,” a statement issued by NBCC general secretary Zelhou Keyho had said.
Catholic Churches in the State also conducted mass service online.
On Sunday morning, several churches went digital to feed their faithful followers with words of Jesus Christ.
In Jerusalem, for the first time in over a century, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was closed for Easter weekend.
In ordinary times, tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world flock there to retrace Jesus’ steps. But this year, flights have been grounded and religious sites in the Holy Land are closed as authorities try to prevent the spread of the virus. (Page News Service)
