Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church in Delhi today on the occasion of Easter. Ahead of PM Modi's visit Fr. Francis Swaminathan said it's for the first time that a Prime Minister is coming to a church. "PM Narendra Modi is coming to our church today and we are excited about it. I think it's for the first time that a Prime Minister is coming to a church", Fr. Francis Swaminathan told ANI.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi extended wishes on the holy occasion of Easter. "Happy Easter! May this special occasion deepen the spirit of harmony in our society. May it inspire people to serve society and help empower the downtrodden. We remember the pious thoughts of Lord Christ on this day," PM Modi wrote on Twitter.
Easter is celebrated to commemorate the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Midnight Easter prayers were held at various churches across the country.
People gathered at decorated churches and offered prayers on the holy occasion of Easter. Various people assembled at Mount St. Thomas, the headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church in Kochi on the night of Easter. Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal George Alencherry lead the midnight mass.
Prayers on the occasion of Easter were also held at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi. The cathedral was decorated with lights giving an appearance as if the entire holy structure is glowing with a hue of orange and red. Devotees also burned candles and offered prayers. The celebrations were also held at a church in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. Here devotees could be seen holding candlelight inside the church and offering prayers.
People often witness Easter as a day of chocolate eggs, lambs and bunnies that celebrate spring's coming. These are folk traditions, the day celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. According to the Bible, it marks the third day after Jesus was crucified when he rose from the dead.