Sunday best: Choir tunes, food festival cast Easter spell in city
Services, events held under tight security; walkthrough gates at Kohati church still defunct
Mass under way at All Saints Church in the city. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
Pews were filled to the brim at various churches across the city as Christians gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday. The day marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
A large number of people attended services at All Saints Church, St John’s Church, St John Vianney’s Church, St Michael’s Church and Assembly of God Church.
Similar scenes of joy and festivity were witnessed at all these venues. The sound of a choir singing hymns filled the air as people greeted each other. Special prayers were offered on the occasion.
Tight security arrangements were made at all churches to deal with any eventuality. Walkthrough gates and metal detectors were installed. However, the walkthrough gate at All Saint’s Church was out-of-order.
Day of resurrection
Christians also held rallies in memory of Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the church in Kohati. They lit candles and offered prayers.
They gathered at churches and were served food. Sweets were distributed among the community and people also exchanged gifts.
“We are enjoying [Easter Sunday] a lot,” Kanwal, a homemaker who came to pray at All Saints Church in Kohati, told The Express Tribune. “This is a day of happiness. It is the day our beloved Jesus got a new life.” Shazia, who had also gathered at the church with her family, said, “This is our holy week. We first celebrate Good Friday when Jesus was crucified and then, in the memory of his resurrection, we celebrate Easter. It’s a day of pride for us.”
Remembering the fallen
Prayers were also offered for those who had died in the suicide attack on All Saints Church on September 22, 2013.
“My father died in the bomb blast,” Simon, who attended the service at Kohati, told The Express Tribune. “Whenever I come to this church, I feel my father is around me. I feel proud he died in the house of God.”
Those who had been injured in the heinous attack also attended the service.
Riaz, who was among the survivors, said, “I lost six members of my family. I was severely injured. I can only pray God brings peace to the region to compensate for the death and destruction it has witnessed over the years.” A food festival was organised at Edwards school in Kohati for Easter. A diverse array of stalls were set up for the occasion and attended by large number of people.
“Every year, a festival is held at the school for Easter,” Rozina, who attended the event, told The Express Tribune. “This gives us an opportunity to enjoy Easter Sunday with our family. We wear new clothes and exchange gifts to mark the occasion.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2016.
Pews were filled to the brim at various churches across the city as Christians gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday. The day marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
A large number of people attended services at All Saints Church, St John’s Church, St John Vianney’s Church, St Michael’s Church and Assembly of God Church.
Similar scenes of joy and festivity were witnessed at all these venues. The sound of a choir singing hymns filled the air as people greeted each other. Special prayers were offered on the occasion.
Tight security arrangements were made at all churches to deal with any eventuality. Walkthrough gates and metal detectors were installed. However, the walkthrough gate at All Saint’s Church was out-of-order.
Day of resurrection
Christians also held rallies in memory of Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the church in Kohati. They lit candles and offered prayers.
They gathered at churches and were served food. Sweets were distributed among the community and people also exchanged gifts.
“We are enjoying [Easter Sunday] a lot,” Kanwal, a homemaker who came to pray at All Saints Church in Kohati, told The Express Tribune. “This is a day of happiness. It is the day our beloved Jesus got a new life.” Shazia, who had also gathered at the church with her family, said, “This is our holy week. We first celebrate Good Friday when Jesus was crucified and then, in the memory of his resurrection, we celebrate Easter. It’s a day of pride for us.”
Remembering the fallen
Prayers were also offered for those who had died in the suicide attack on All Saints Church on September 22, 2013.
“My father died in the bomb blast,” Simon, who attended the service at Kohati, told The Express Tribune. “Whenever I come to this church, I feel my father is around me. I feel proud he died in the house of God.”
Those who had been injured in the heinous attack also attended the service.
Riaz, who was among the survivors, said, “I lost six members of my family. I was severely injured. I can only pray God brings peace to the region to compensate for the death and destruction it has witnessed over the years.” A food festival was organised at Edwards school in Kohati for Easter. A diverse array of stalls were set up for the occasion and attended by large number of people.
“Every year, a festival is held at the school for Easter,” Rozina, who attended the event, told The Express Tribune. “This gives us an opportunity to enjoy Easter Sunday with our family. We wear new clothes and exchange gifts to mark the occasion.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2016.