Preparation in progress at St Joseph Co-Cathedral Church on the eve of Good Friday. Picture by UB Photos

March 28: It’s time to scrub off the colours of Holi and paint some eggs for the upcoming Easter Sunday.

The Christian community here set aside work today to participate in the holy mass in different churches on the eve of Good Friday.

Christians observe Good Friday by offering prayers to Jesus Christ, as it is believed he was crucified on this day. Subsequently, Easter Sunday is observed to celebrate his Resurrection.

“Good Friday is a very holy occasion for us as the Lord was crucified on this very day. We pray and remember how Jesus gave his life to deliver man from his sins. Easter Sunday marks the rising of Christ from death, three days after his crucifixion. We will be attending the Church service on Sunday and celebrate the occasion with our family and friends,” said Peter Dias, a resident.

It is also the occasion to gift colourfully decorated Easter eggs. “During Easter, people gift colourfully decorated eggs to each other, as the egg is believed to symbolise the tomb of Jesus. These eggs are then eaten. Many people also fast for around 40 days, which they break on Easter Sunday,” said P.P. Borgohain, a youth.

Various churches here have also been holding religious activities during the holy week that began last Sunday.

“Today, we had a feast in the evening to symbolise the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples before he was crucified. Tomorrow, we will have a service in the afternoon followed by a drama staged by youths, showing how our Lord was crucified and how he rose from his death on Easter Sunday. On Sunday, we will have our sunrise service at the Nabagraha graveyard, where people will pray for the departed souls of their family and friends and for the good of all,” said Azizul Haque, pastor of the Baptist Church at Panbazar.

Preparations are also under way at St Joseph Co-Cathedral Church at Panbazar for Good Friday and Easter services.

“The Holy Week got under way last Sunday with the palm procession from St Mary’s HS School to Don Bosco. Several hundred people are expected to take part in the procession, which signifies the welcome people gave Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem,” Father T.. Jose, parish priest, St Joseph Co-Cathedral Church, told this correspondent.

Today, the Last Supper was preceded by holy mass in the evening. “The mass was led by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil along with priests and disciples. The service will continue till midnight. The Good Friday service like re-enactment of the dramatic way of the Cross, which represents the journey of Jesus to Mount Calvary and Holy Communion will commence from 2pm,” Fr. Jose said.

On Saturday, service for the night vigil for the Resurrection of Lord Jesus will commence at 11pm. “Archbishop of Guwahati Fr. John Moolachira will lead the holy mass for Easter Sunday from 9am,” he added.