Razen Manandhar

Lalitpur, March 27:

Thousands of hands waved at the cloudy sky and a clamour of voices chanted in harmony:

“Halleluja!” The four-day long Christian festival of Easter ended today in the capital, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For the first time, all Protestants gathered today at St Xaviers’ School in Jawlakhel for a special prayer programme. Apart from this, all major churches conducted regular prayer progrmmes, mostly in the morning. The mass of worshippers, of all ages and ethnic groups was a kaleidoscopic view of the growing band of Christians from all over the country. They chanted along with the choirs in different churches. The organisers said that over 1,000 Christians participated in the last day’s prayers. “I believe He will save me from my miseries,” said Sunita Tamang, who hails from Dhading district and is studying in a local school. She added that the festival of Easter is proof that God has brought Christ came back to makind as the Saviour.

Dr Simon Pandey, chairman of the main organising committee of the common prayer progrmme, said the event drew unprecedented crowds for the holy prayer. He added Easter is celebrated for four major days, commemorating the Last Supper, the Accusation, Crucifixion and Resurrection. “On mornings, we conduct Sunrise Service and recall what Christ said after the Last Supper and how he was crucified, and again how he came back to us after resurrection,” he said. Apart from this, the country’s only Roman Catholic church, The Christ Church of Assumption, had its own programmes for Easter. Parish priest, Father Justin, said the preparation began 40 days ago and the whole series ended this morning with the rituals to reflect the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. The entire period, those who are interested fast every Friday.

“To free all human beings from the bondage of sin, He shed the last drop of His blood — He completely emptied himself,” said the priest. According to the Roman Catholic system, the devotees remember how the Christ washed and kissed the feet of his disciples. On this day, recalling how the authority accused the Christ and crucified, Him, they keep vigil till midnight.

On Sunday, they remember how the disciples saw that the tomb was empty and the Christ coming after resurrection. “On the fourth day, Christians here remember the event and the spiritual message it conveys, through role-playing,” he added. However, the tradition of Easter eggs, which are made of chocolate, is not very popular. Father Justin said it is a symbolic way of presenting the Christ in His tomb, but not an essential part of the festival. The practice of Easter eggs is yet to catch on, he said.