Christians celebrate Easter

Page 48: Daily Graphic, April 5, 2012. Story: Albert K. Salia CHRISTIANS from the Orthodox fraternity have since Sunday, April 1, 2012, been engaged in activities to climax the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the founder of the Christian faith. Prior to this week, Christians had embarked on a 40-day journey of fasting, prayers, repentance and renewal of their baptismal vows. New converts are expected to be baptised and received into the churches on Holy Saturday, the end of the Lenten season. Their counterparts in the Pentecostal and Charismatic ideology, have been involved in revivals and crusades to prepare for the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. This year, Palm Sunday, the day on which Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey to commemorate the Jewish Passover celebration, was marked on Sunday, April 1. Christians on Palm Sunday carried palm branches, a traditional symbol of joy and victory, and spread them throughout the streets before him. Palm Sunday is also the start of the Holy Week, the days before Easter during which series of events will be held to mark the last days of Christ’s life on earth. The next major event will be Holy Thursday, which is derived from the latin word, mandatum, which literally means commandment, referring to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday before his crucifixion on Good Friday. Christians, particularly Catholics, will mark this day with the shadow of Jesus’ betrayal, the washing of feet and the Holy Eucharist. Then on Good Friday, Christians will commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Most Christians are expected to spend the day in fasting, prayer, repentance and meditation on Christ’s agony and suffering. The day is climaxed with church services re-enacting the agony, suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The season of Lent, which is the 40-day period of fasting and prayers, ends on Saturday where new believers are baptised into Christendom. It also commemorates the day when Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb. Christians also prepare on this day for Easter with vigil services. They believe that Jesus Christ arose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion, a day commemorated as Easter Sunday. Jesus’ resurrection, to believers, means His victory over death and the granting of eternal life to all those who believe in Him. Many Christians will therefore be celebrating this day in white apparels and cap it with social activities on Monday at the beaches, homes and on church premises. But this new life in Christ is, however, challenged as many believers lead lifestyles that are contrary to the teachings of their faith. Forgiveness and reconciliation is often hard to come to. Vengeance is central to the activities of many while abusive and insulting language engulf society. The ever merciful, forgiving and compassionate God, will wait for the next Lent and Easter season for His children to come to Him.