Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church in Delhi today on the occasion of Easter. Prior to PM Modi's visit, Fr. Francis Swaminathan stated that this is the first time a Prime Minister has visited a church. "We are thrilled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting our church today. I believe this is the first time a Prime Minister has visited a church," Fr. Francis Swaminathan told ANI.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi expressed his best wishes on the holy occasion of Easter. "Happy Easter! May this special occasion deepen our society's spirit of harmony. May it inspire people to give back to society and empower the oppressed. On this day, we remember the pious thoughts of Lord Christ," PM Modi wrote on Twitter.
Easter is celebrated to commemorate Jesus Christ's glorious resurrection. Across the country, churches held midnight Easter services.
On the holy occasion of Easter, people gathered in decorated churches to pray. On the night of Easter, a large crowd gathered at Mount St. Thomas, the headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church in Kochi. Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, presided over the midnight mass.
Easter prayers were also held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi. The cathedral was decorated with lights, giving the impression that the entire holy structure is glowing in orange and red. Devotees also lit candles and said prayers. The celebrations also took place at a church in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Inside the church, devotees could be seen holding candles and praying.
People frequently associate Easter with chocolate eggs, lambs, and bunnies that herald the arrival of spring. These are folk traditions, and the day commemorates Jesus' resurrection. According to the Bible, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after he was crucified.