Easter Sunday celebrated in northeast

Aizawl/Kohima April 16 (IANS) Christians in most parts of the northeast with traditional pomp and gaiety celebrated the Easter Sunday signifying Jesus Christ s victory over death after his crucifixion to redeem the world.

Accompanied by men women and children dressed with vivid traditional attires band parties of different corps of the Salvation Army woke the populace of several northeastern states by playing the hymn He s arisen to mark the beginning of the Easter Sunday.

Over 5.3 million Christians live in Mizoram Nagaland Meghalaya and Manipur while there are a significant number of Christians in the other northeastern states -- Tripura Assam Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

Sunrise services were organised by the youth wings of all local churches in their areas of the region.

Special prayers and worship were also held by the church members breaking their fast after Good Friday.

In Nagaland thousands of people including people from other religious faiths both young and old gathered at the World War II cemetery in Kohima to attend the Easter sunrise service on Sunday morning and prayed that with the power of resurrection the people be free from fear division corruption and guilt.

Believers across Nagaland offered special prayer services and participated in the Lord s Supper and thanksgiving feast.

Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya and Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu extended warm greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Easter.

Amidst a warm sky and sunny temperature the day was celebrated on Sunday with religious solemnity across Mizoram.

Mizoram Governor Lt. Gen. Nirbhay Sharma and Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla greeted the people on the occasion of Easter.

--IANS
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