The Christian community in the state on Sunday celebrated Easter, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, with solemn prayers, festivities and traditional feasts after a 40-day fast. Devotees, including women and children, thronged churches to attend midnight and morning masses held across the state.
Special prayers and services were held in churches of various denominations, with bishops and senior clergy leading the liturgy and bringing messages of hope, renewal and spiritual awakening. In the state capital, Archbishop Thomas J Netto led the midnight mass at St. Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Palayam, while Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, presided over the service at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Pattom.
In his speech, Cardinal Cleemis called on the faithful to exercise their democratic rights responsibly in the upcoming parliamentary elections, stressing the importance of voting according to one’s conscience.
Meanwhile, Mar Raphael Thattil, the major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in West Asia and called for peace and solidarity with those affected by the violence.
Easter, one of the most important holidays in the Christian calendar, signifies the triumph of life over death and hope over despair. It also marks the culmination of Holy Week, which commemorates the last days of Jesus Christ, including his crucifixion and resurrection.
Christian households across Kerala prepared elaborate festive meals for the occasion, bringing families together to celebrate after a period of fasting and penance.
Published – 05 April 2026, 23:21 IST
