Page 220 - Religion Belief
Christmas celebrated with enthusiasm, fervour in Kashmir
Christmas was celebrated today in Kashmir with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervour with members of the small population of Christians in the valley thronging churches for Mass as special prayers were held for world peace. The biggest Mass in the Valley was held at the Holy Family Catholic Church at Maulana Azad Road here, where hundreds of Christians, including women and children, assembled to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ and held special prayers. The church was decorated with colourful buntings and balloons and it wore a festive look. Among the believers were tourists from different parts of the country and world who joined the locals on the auspicious day and prayed for world peace and brotherhood. Similar prayers were held at other churches including the Saint Joseph's Church in north Kashmir's Baramulla, the oldest Catholic Church in Jammu and Kashmir and at the Church in the tourist resort of Gulmarg. "We prayed for peace across the globe, ...
Christmas celebrated with great zeal in northeast India
Christmas was celebrated on Monday across the northeastern region of India with special prayers, hymns and masses in churches, besides the traditional mass community feasts and delicious food.
AP CM extends Christmas greetings; prays to Lord Jesus Christ
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said he prayed to Lord Jesus Christ seeking his "whole-hearted cooperation" for the smooth completion of the construction of the state's new capital city Amaravati and also the Polavaram multipurpose project. Naidu today offered prayers at the famous St Paul's Cathedral at Patamata on the occasion of Christmas. "I prayed to Lord Jesus to extend his whole-hearted cooperation for a hassle-free completion of Amaravati and Polavaram project. I sought his blessings to lead us ahead," the Chief Minister said on the occasion. "Poverty is a major problem. We all should pray for eradication of poverty. All people should live happily and peacefully. My government is working in that direction to reduce economic inequalities," Naidu said. Extending greetings to Christians, he said Christmas was the only major festival the entire mankind across the globe celebrated. Bishop Joseph Raja Rao blessed the Chief Minister on the ...
Prayers, gifts and greetings on Christmas in Tamil Nadu
Midnight mass, visits to churches, exchange of gifts and greetings marked Christmas celebrations in Tamil Nadu on Monday.
Netanyahu offers to be tour guide to Christian pilgrims in
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised Christians around the world that he would be their guide next Christmas and give them a tour of the country's holy sites. Jerusalem holds deep religious significance for Jews, Muslims and Christians. It includes the holiest ground in Judaism, the third-holiest shrine in Islam and major Christian sites linked to the life of Jesus. "It's a pleasure for me on Christmas Eve to be here, standing, in Jerusalem, right behind me, the holy city," Netanyahu said in a video message. "I'm very proud to be the Prime Minister of Israel, a country that says 'Merry Christmas' first to its Christian citizens and to our Christian friends around the world. I'm proud that Israel is the country in which Christians not only survive, but they thrive," he said. "Because we believe in this friendship among people and we protect the rights of everyone to worship at the holy sites behind me," he asserts. This follows the unusual offer in which
Chandrababu Naidu lauds St. Paul's Cathedral Church's services for poor
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday attended the Christmas celebrations at St Paul's Cathedral Church in Vijayawada.Giving his best wishes on the occasion, Naidu lauded the services the church has been providing to the people."I wish all a merry Christmas on behalf of the government. Today is a sacred day. This is the festival that is celebrated across the world. The calendar is observed as BC and AD; it is the speciality of Jesus. X'mas gives us inspiration, awareness, and encourages us to discard evil and spread good. Christianity is service-oriented. Christians do service across the world. This St Paul's Cathedral Church (RCM) is serving in education sector in our state. Their services are highly laudable," he added.He further said that the government was implementing many welfare schemes for the poor and urged everyone to serve the society."Everyone and all should serve the society - is the call of Jesus Christ. I offered prayers to Jesus, pleaded him to ...
Over 3,000 personnel deployed in Rawalpindi
The authorities in Pakistan on Monday deployed at least 3,500 personnel at churches and other public places in Rawalpindi in order to ensure a peaceful and safe Christmas for the Christians.With an attack on a church in Quetta last week, which left nine people dead, the law enforcement agencies are not taking chances and have made elaborate arrangements for the same.The personnel will be supervised by three superintendents of police (SPs), 11 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and 21 station house officers (SHOs), The Express Tribune reported.Also, no vehicles would be allowed near the churches and the public places, where there would be a heavy police presence. Walk-through gates have been installed at the entrance of the churches and the visitors will be checked through metal detectors."Best possible security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident in the city," The Express Tribune quoted a police official as saying.Both personnel in plainclothes and ...
Trump's Jerusalem decision dampens Christmas celebrations
US President Donald Trump's recent decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel's capital has taken joy out of Christmas for the people in the holy land who witnessed a low key celebration today with thousands of tourists choosing to stay away from festivities. The Manger Square, where tourists and locals generally jostle for space before the midnight mass, looked forlorn with signs of despair visible on the faces of sellers and street vendors. Michael Kumsiyeh, a souvenir shop owner in the Manger Square, squarely blamed President Trump for the doom and gloom. "He makes a problem. He doesn't make any solution," Kumsiyeh said. "Its a bad situation. No celebrations, no tourists and everybody is unhappy," lamented Kader, a coffee seller. Trump declared Jerusalem as Israel's capital on December 6 which sparked violence in the region and worldwide protests. Coming, as it did, just weeks before Christmas, the announcement forced thousands of expected pilgrims to pull out of the ...
Kolkata celebrates Christmas with special prayers, food and fun
Soaking in the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked cakes and brewing wines, Kolkata on Monday revelled in the Yuletide spirit with people of all ages celebrating Christmas.
A low key Christmas in Kerala after Ockhi
Special prayers, midnight masses and low key festivities today marked Christmas in Kerala, which witnessed massive devastation and loss of life due to cyclone Ockhi last month. Senior bishops and priests led special masses and gave out Christmas messages at cathedrals and churches across the state. As many as 59 fishermen, who got stranded in mid-sea and were later rescued, took part in a midnight mass held at a local church nearby coastal hamlet Poonthura. While Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis led the mass at St Mary's Cathedral of Syro Malankara Catholic Church at Pattam here, Archbishop Soosa Pakiyam conducted the services at the St Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral at Palayam in the city. During the prayers, Soosa Pakiam said the church was considering a comprehensive package for the rehabilitation of Ockhi victims. He also called for helping the next of kin of the cyclone victims. In his Christmas message, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged people to observe the day .
Goans usher in Christmas with midnight mass, carols
The peel of the midnight bells in churches and the carols reverberating the praise of Lord Jesus ushered in the Christmas festivities in Goa. The capital city was lit up and the markets gleamed with Christmas trees, bells, gifts, cakes and bebinca (a traditional Goan dessert) as tourists flocked to celebrate the festival in the coastal state, which has around 27 per cent Christian population. Parishioners dressed in formal attire participated in the midnight masses across all the churches, heralding in the birth of Jesus Christ. Cribs, decorated in beautiful ways and displaying the birth of Lord Jesus, were seen at several houses in the state. A larger-than-life crib installed in front of Mary Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji was a major attraction with thousands of tourists visiting the place since midnight. The streets of Panaji and Margao, the two main cities of Goa, were packed with vehicles till the wee hours as people participated in the traditional dance ...
Mumbai family grows 65 feet tall Christmas tree
As Christmas is being celebrated worldwide with fevour and gaiety across the nation, Mumbaikars have found a unique way to celebrate the festival of joy.A Mumbai family grew 65 feet tall Christmas tree in their backyard in Worli, said to be India's tallest."A large number of visitors from very far places came here to see the tree on Sunday," said Grace Dalhana, the owner of the tree.Meanwhile, in another unique way people donned Santa caps and also took part in laughter therapy exercise to celebrate the festival at Girgaum Chowpatty.Amid the gripping festive fervor, churches in various pockets of the nation observed midnight mass, witnessing narratives from the birth of Jesus Christ.Carols were also sung praising the lord in various cities, including Bengaluru, Kolkata, Trivandrum and the national capital.Markets have also witnessed the sale of a number of Christmas-related decors, including Christmas trees, bells, cutouts of Santa Claus, stars and fairy lights.Christmas is celebrated
Kovind, Naidu, Modi greet nation on Christmas
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday wished the nation on the occasion of Christmas.
Gujarat: Fatherless brides tie knot in mass wedding
At least 251 couples tied the knot at a mass wedding ceremony in Gujarat's Surat.The mass wedding was organised by a businessman Mahesh Savani on Sunday.Savani took up the responsibility to pay for the expenses of marriages of girls who have lost their father and are not financially stable to meet the expenses of marriage.He has been organizing the mass marriage since past five years.Savani has done "Kanyadaan" of around 1000 girls including the 251 girls who got married yesterday.The businessman not only takes the responsibility of Hindu girls but there are five Muslim girls and one Christian girl, whose marriage will take place according to their religious customs.
Christmas celebrated across Tamil Nadu
: Christmas was celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervour in Tamil Nadu today, with believers thronging churches, including the famous Santhome Basilica Church here, for special prayers and mass. In Chennai, senior bishops and priests conducted special masses at churches and read out the Christmas message at churches across the city. A large number of people thronged the Annai Velankanni church at Besant Nagar in the city, offered prayers and exchanged greetings. Faithful from all over the country gathered in large numbers at Shrine Basilica of our Lady of Health in Vailankanni and also New Jerusalem Church at Tarangambadi, the oldest protestant church in Asia, and offered prayers. Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister K Palaniswami andleaders of political parties have extended their greetings to the people.
Pakistani Christians celebrate Christmas under heavy security
Pakistani Christians were celebrating Christmas Eve on Sunday with mass and processions under heavy security, amid fear and challenge of extremists, following a recent attack at a church killing nine people and injuring 57 in the western part of the country.
Nation rings in Christmas with hymns, carols
It's that time of the year again, the season to be jolly, as it's popularly known, as the nation merrily welcomes Christmas today.Amid the gripping festive fervor, churches in various pockets of the nation observed midnight mass, witnessing narratives from the birth of Jesus Christ.Carols were also sung praising the lord in various cities, including Bengaluru, Kolkata, Trivandrum and the national capital.Over the past few days, students, and other communities welcomed the holiday season with a number of skits, fancy dress competitions, and other activities.Markets have also witnessed the sale of a number of Christmas-related decors, including Christmas trees, bells, cutouts of Santa Claus, stars and fairy lights.Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25 and marks the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by all communities, both Christian, and others. Christmas is celebrated by singing carols and exchanging gifts, as it aims to spread the message of peace and prosperity.
15 arrested in connection with Egypt's church attack
Egyptian security officials say 15 people have been arrested in connection with an attack on an unlicensed Christian church south of the capital, Cairo. The officials said those arrested today were 12 Muslims and three Christians suspected of involvement in Friday's violence. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Hundreds of Muslim demonstrators stormed the church after Friday prayers, according to the local diocese, who said they wrecked some of its fittings while chanting anti-Christian slogans and calling for its demolition. Three Christians were wounded by the attackers. Christians constitute around 10 percent of Egypt's population. Sectarian violence erupts occasionally, mainly in rural communities. They have also been targeted by Islamic militants.
UP CM to attend Holi event in Mathura; 'Krishna, Radha Rani'
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would attend Holi celebrations here on February 24 next year and perform aarti after artistes dressed up as Krishna and Radha Rani descend from a helicopter, state minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said. On the occasion of Diwali this year, Adityanath had attended an event in Ayodhya as 1.71 lakh earthen lamps glittered on the banks of river Sarayu while a copter decorated as the mythological 'Pushpak Viman' descended with artistes dressed as Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman. At a meeting convened to discuss the organisation of Holi celebrations here, Chaudhary said, the chief minister would watch a holi of flowers and rose powder in Barsana on February 24. The main attraction of the event would be a helicopter descending with artistes dressed as Radha Rani and Krishna, following which Adityanath would perform aarti, the minister said. The chief minister would then attend a flag worship ceremony and take part in Samaj Gayan (holy ...
President Kovind wishes for peace, friendship this Christmas
President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday greeted the nation on the eve of Christmas and hoped for peace and friendship across the world."On the auspicious occasion of Christmas, I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens, especially our Christian brothers and sisters in India and abroad. May it herald a season of peace and friendship across the world," the president said, in a message.He added, "May this day, marking the birth of Jesus, promote in us and our families the universal message of love, sacrifice and compassion. May it renew our society's sense of fraternity."With festive fervour in the air ahead of Christmas, preparations are in full swing across various pockets of the country, ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Monday.Celebratory instincts, in case of Christmas, are not just among Christians, but for the society at large. The prime message, as the saying goes, is to bring peace and prosperity, irrespective of one's religion.On the Christmas .