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People attend an ‘Easter Sunrise Service’ on April 21 at the Kohima War Cemetery in Kohima town. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 21 (EMN): At the break of dawn on Sunday, hundreds of residents in the capital town of Nagaland, Kohima town, gathered at the historic Kohima War Cemetery to conduct an ‘Easter Sunrise Service,’ marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christians of various denominations assembled, as the sun rose over the hills, to offer thanksgiving and to celebrate the day of Christ’s resurrection. The service was organised by the Kohima Baptist Pastor’s Fellowship (KBPF).
The general secretary of the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, Rev. Dr. Vesekhoyi Tetseo was the speaker at the service. According to the Reverend, Easter Sunday is the embodiment of Christ’s triumph over death “where all of our sins are paid in full.”
He referred to the Biblical narration of two thieves crucified along with Jesus Christ at Calvary. Their crime, he said, was of stealing but the Christ’s only crime was of loving.
‘There is hope for those who acknowledge their shortcomings. We must admit our weaknesses and seek God’s mercy today,’ he said.
Saying that many people are still clueless about the gospel of Christ “in the outside world,” he asked the congregation ‘not to forget’ those people. ‘It is you and I who must go out for the mission. Let us not be so happy with who we are here in Nagaland, but reach out to others,’ he said.
The chairman of Kohima Village Council Dr. Neiphi Kire said Easter Sunday is a time for Christians all over the world to rejoice over Christ’s resurrection. He added that “it is meaningful” to gather in a place like the cemetery where ‘thousands of soldiers lay buried’ after sacrificing their lives in the fierce Battle of Kohima.
The service featured music performances by the Nagamese Baptist Churches, Kohima Area (youth) and Kohima Town Baptist Women Union.