Christmas celebrated with prayers for peace
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
The birth of Jesus Christ was celebrated Tuesday in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world, reports bdnews24.com.
The Christian community in the country joined in celebrating the day across the globe with different festivities.
Churches throughout the country were decorated with Christmas lights, flowers and replicas of mangers as a reminder of the humble birth of Christ.
According to Christian faith, Jesus was born to Virgin Mary over 2000 years ago on this day. Muslims also believe Mary or Mariam is the mother of the prophet Jesus or Issa (SA).
The Christmas festivities marking the biggest religious celebration of the Christian community began on Christmas Eve Monday. Special prayers were held in churches on the eve, and on Christmas Day morning.
Special Christmas Eve prayers began at St Mary's Cathedral at Kakrail at about 8.45pm. Devotees had earlier brought out a colourful procession. Verses from the Holy Bible were recited.
At the prayers, Theotonius Gomes, Auxiliary Bishop of Dhaka, said: "Christmas Day is the day to be great, to be a man of good mind. Jesus wants us to love each other and establish peace and unity through love. Let us love mankind truly."
Theotonius Gomes had earlier talked to the news agency at the Archbishop's House at Kakrail on different aspects of the celebrations.
The preparations for observing Christmas begin four weeks before the event and the festivities end with the New Year, he said.
On the eve of Christmas, Christians across the world eagerly await the message of the Pope, Bishop Gomes said.
"This time the Pope has given a message of hope for people. The world is going through many troubles. God is among people and He will create hopes for them."
The bishop greeted people on the eve of the Christmas and said he would pray for peace for Bangladeshis.
Mass prayers began in the churches throughout the country Tuesday morning, with singing of Christmas carols.
The main congregation was held at Ramna Cathedral, with Bishop Gomes leading the prayers.
However, the largest Christmas Mass took place at Tejgaon church. Father Kamal Koraia of the Christian Relations Centre said up to 5,000 people took part in the prayers there.
Various other celebratory events have also been held in churches, community centres and hotels since the Christmas morning. Some arranged special Christmas programmes for children.
Dhaka Sheraton Hotel arranged a Christmas Party for children Tuesday morning. Christmas carols were sung, after which it was announced that Santa Claus would appear.
Good old Santa entered the hotel ballroom ringing his sleighbells and bearing Christmas gifts to distribute among the children at the party
The hotel also arranged fun games, including chocolate writing, a treasure hunt and musical chairs. The Ballroom was decorated with balloons and colourful flowers on the occasion, and the annual Christmas tree was in place in the hotel atrium.
The Christian community in the country joined in celebrating the day across the globe with different festivities.
Churches throughout the country were decorated with Christmas lights, flowers and replicas of mangers as a reminder of the humble birth of Christ.
According to Christian faith, Jesus was born to Virgin Mary over 2000 years ago on this day. Muslims also believe Mary or Mariam is the mother of the prophet Jesus or Issa (SA).
The Christmas festivities marking the biggest religious celebration of the Christian community began on Christmas Eve Monday. Special prayers were held in churches on the eve, and on Christmas Day morning.
Special Christmas Eve prayers began at St Mary's Cathedral at Kakrail at about 8.45pm. Devotees had earlier brought out a colourful procession. Verses from the Holy Bible were recited.
At the prayers, Theotonius Gomes, Auxiliary Bishop of Dhaka, said: "Christmas Day is the day to be great, to be a man of good mind. Jesus wants us to love each other and establish peace and unity through love. Let us love mankind truly."
Theotonius Gomes had earlier talked to the news agency at the Archbishop's House at Kakrail on different aspects of the celebrations.
The preparations for observing Christmas begin four weeks before the event and the festivities end with the New Year, he said.
On the eve of Christmas, Christians across the world eagerly await the message of the Pope, Bishop Gomes said.
"This time the Pope has given a message of hope for people. The world is going through many troubles. God is among people and He will create hopes for them."
The bishop greeted people on the eve of the Christmas and said he would pray for peace for Bangladeshis.
Mass prayers began in the churches throughout the country Tuesday morning, with singing of Christmas carols.
The main congregation was held at Ramna Cathedral, with Bishop Gomes leading the prayers.
However, the largest Christmas Mass took place at Tejgaon church. Father Kamal Koraia of the Christian Relations Centre said up to 5,000 people took part in the prayers there.
Various other celebratory events have also been held in churches, community centres and hotels since the Christmas morning. Some arranged special Christmas programmes for children.
Dhaka Sheraton Hotel arranged a Christmas Party for children Tuesday morning. Christmas carols were sung, after which it was announced that Santa Claus would appear.
Good old Santa entered the hotel ballroom ringing his sleighbells and bearing Christmas gifts to distribute among the children at the party
The hotel also arranged fun games, including chocolate writing, a treasure hunt and musical chairs. The Ballroom was decorated with balloons and colourful flowers on the occasion, and the annual Christmas tree was in place in the hotel atrium.