This Easter, Calcutta will pray for peace in West Asia.

Churches across the city are focusing their prayers on the region that has suffered immensely since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28.

Priests in several parishes said Holy Week services, including Good Friday on Friday afternoon and Easter Sunday, will be dedicated to prayers for peace. Large congregations visit churches to offer their prayers during this time.

“We can only pray for peace in the world. Because of this war and unrest, so many ordinary people, especially children, are suffering. Our prayers will be to bring healing to them,” said Father Robert Gregory Monteiro, parish priest of the Church of Christ the King. “Our message is that the war should end, and we must pray especially for this so that peace may prevail.”

Father Moloy D’Costa, vicar general of the archdiocese of Calcutta, said: “We are praying every Sunday. On Good Friday and Easter, special prayers will be offered for peace and harmony. We pray for all leaders to reach a reasonable conclusion and end the war because, ultimately, it is the innocent who are suffering.”

At St Mary’s Church, Father Dominic Gomes, parish priest, said the congregation will gather to implore God’s mercy. “Through dialogue and mutual respect, nations may find the grace to settle disputes without further loss of life. May the risen Christ guide leaders and peoples alike towards justice, understanding and peace,” he said.

He added: “On this Good Friday, as we commemorate our Lord’s sacrificial love, may we also lift up in prayer every soul affected by violence and fear. Let us pray not just for an end to hostilities, but for the healing of hearts, the courage to seek dialogue, and the wisdom to walk paths of reconciliation.”

Reverend Shreeraj Mohanty, presbyter-in-charge of Bhawanipore Congregational Church, said this is not the time to debate who is right or wrong, but to focus on those affected. “We pray to God to give wisdom to leaders so that they may end the war,” he said.

He said that Jesus’ message was to bring out the goodness in people. “It is our duty to bring out the goodness in people. Even if we are not at war, we stand to be affected, and we request people to be kind, avoid wastage, and help the less privileged,” Reverend Mohanty said.