India is a land of various religions and muliple cultures. Alongwith
Hindu, Mulism and Sikh festivals, Christian festivals are also
celebrated with deity and devotion in different parts of India. Let's
have a look on different Christian festivals in India and their
significance.
Christmas
The festival of Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and
conveys his message of love, tolerance and brotherhood. It's a
celebration of humanity and mankind. Though Christmas is a primary
festival of the Christian calendar but still it has a special
significance in everyone's life. It is celebrated as a universal
festival through out the nation. The first mention of 25th December as
the birth date of Jesus occurred in 336 A.D. in an early Roman calendar.
That day onwards this date is celebrated as the birth date of Jesus. In
India this festival has a special significance since India is known for
its unity in diversity worldwide.
Easter
Easter, also known as Pascha , the Feast of the Resurrection, the
Sunday of the Resurrection or the Resurrection Day, is the most
important religious feast of the Christian Calendar. Easter is observed
between late March and late April (early April to early May in East).
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, which occurred after his
death by crucifixion. In the Catholic Church, Easter is actually an
eight-day feast called the Octave of Easter.
Good Friday
Good Friday, anniversary of Jesus' death on the cross. According to the
Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day. Since
the early church Good Friday has been observed by fasting and penance.
In the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican traditions, the
celebration of the Eucharist is suspended; liturgical service involves
veneration of the cross, the Passion narrative from the Gospel of St.
John, and communion using bread and wine consecrated the previous day,
Maundy Thursday. Other forms of observance include prayer and meditation
at the Stations of the Cross, a succession of 14 images, usually on
wooden crosses, depicting Christ's crucifixion and the events leading up
to it.
