Security concerns: A sombre Easter for Christians in twin cities
Sunday saw thousands of Christians living in Islamabad commemorate Easter Sunday, a day marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, with zeal and religious fervour. Prayers, sans celebrations, were held in major churches of the twin cities due to security concerns.
The two biggest congregations in Islamabad were at the Saint Thomas Church in G-7/2 and Our Lady of Fatima Church in F-8/2. Men, women and children were dressed in colourful clothes. In Saint Thomas Church alone, more than six hundred people attended the service led by Pastor John.
Members of the Christian community living in slum areas too observed the day in their respective colonies.
A congregation was also held at Protestant International Church in the Diplomatic Enclave, where foreigners residing in Pakistan and foreign missions’ staff participated in prayers.
Special prayers were offered for the peace and stability of the country. The choirs of young girls and boys sang hymns followed by prayers.
After the congregation, people went on to meet their friends and relatives. Many families headed to parks and public places later on the sunny day and enjoyed time with their families and friends. However, many complained they were not able to celebrate Easter with the same enthusiasm as in the past due to heightened security concerns.
Festivities relating to Easter started midweek. Easter is an annual religious feast in the Christian liturgical year (church year). According to Christian scripture, Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion.
Many Christian denominations celebrate this resurrection on Easter Day, two days after Good Friday.
Easter falls on a Sunday between late March and late April each year, following the cycle of the moon. After several centuries of disagreement, all churches accepted the computation of the Alexandrian Church that Easter is the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first moon whose 14th day is on or after March 21.
Easter Sunday typically sees the highest attendance during a year at a Sunday service for Christian churches as the Christian community holds prayers and special ceremonies to mark Easter week.
Easter also marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, and the last week of Lent is called Holy Week which contains Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
Easter customs vary across the Christian world, however decorated Easter eggs are a common feature.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ