Tura, April 4: Sunday was a day of celebrations, goodwill wishes and family reunions as people all over Garo Hills joined hands to celebrate Easter Sunday to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The largest religious events took place in Tura with thousands of christians attending morning service to say a prayer, listen to the teachings from the Bible and sing hymns of praise.

Bishop of Tura Andrew R Marak, in his sermon at St Mary’s Church in Araimile, Tura, addressed the gathering about the importance of faith and belief saying that by rising from the dead on the third day Lord Jesus Christ has proven to the world that anyone who believes in him shall have eternal life.

The Bishop called upon the faithful to use the power of prayer which is the greatest gift for a christian.

He also baptised and gave the first Holy communion to a large group of young catholic children marking their reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This event is extremely important in a catholic family’s life and is marked with celebrations, family gatherings and festive parties as well as gift-giving and special white clothes. It is usually done on Easter Sunday which happens to be a day of celebration.

Celebrations were also held at churches in various christian denominations in the five districts of Garo Hills.

In Tura, one of the main events to celebrate the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ was the traditional Sunrise Service which takes place at the break of dawn in the oldest church, the Tura Baptist Church.

Worshipers took part in the Sunrise Service signing hymns and offering prayers to celebrate the Risen Lord. The Sunrise Service is a religious programme dating back to the time Christianity set foot in Garo Hills.

It reminds Christians about the time of Christ when his disciples went to his tomb on the third day of his burial only to find it empty following his resurrection. That day is now celebrated as Easter Sunday.

Earlier, Catholics undertook Easter vigil on Saturday night to pray and seek blessings to welcome the resurrection. The holy Paschal candle representing the light of Christ coming into the world was lit and the holy water for distribution to the devotees was also blessed.

After church service, celebrations were marked with family reunions and meals with their near and dear ones.