Christians celebrate Easter Vigil with prayers and hymns in Patna churches

Patna: Christians thronged churches and parishes across the city on Holy Saturday evening to usher in the joyous celebration of Easter. The faithful gathered in large numbers for the traditional Great Vigil, marking the culmination of Holy Week and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.The Easter celebrations began with a solemn Mass prayer from Saturday night, followed by a special Easter service. The atmosphere inside the cathedrals was filled with spiritual fervour as beautiful hymns, especially the glorious ‘Gloria’, echoed through the sacred spaces, accompanied by the melodious chimes of bells.At St Joseph's Pro-Cathedral on Ashok Rajpath, Patna archbishop Sebastian Kallupura led the prayer service.

The archbishop personally lit the Paschal candle, which holds deep symbolic significance in Christian tradition. The Paschal candle represents the risen Christ — a powerful symbol of light (life) triumphing over darkness (death), he said in a message.Thousands of devotees gathered for the prayer service at Queen of Apostles Church in Kurji.Fr Joseph Sebastian SJ, rector of St Xavier’s University, Patna, officiated as the main priest during the Easter Vigil at the Kurji church under the leadership of the parish priest, Fr Selvin Xavier SJ, and the parish council.

Fr Arokiasamy SJ served as the assistant parish priest, while Fr Robert Razim SJ, Fr Prakash Antony SJ and Fr Ravibhushan SJ contributed to other religious rituals.“The Easter Vigil Liturgy began with the Blessing of the Fire, followed by the Praise of the Light — a profound celebration of the victory of light over darkness. The Paschal candle, lit in the darkness, conveyed the powerful message Christ is the light that dispels all darkness and opens the way to new hope.

This symbolism is especially relevant today, as humanity faces challenges such as war, violence, stress, instability, fear and despair,” Fr Selvin said.In his message, Fr Joseph explained the profound mystery of the Resurrection, saying Easter is not merely a memory but a celebration of vibrant hope and new beginnings. He emphasised no matter how difficult the circumstances, life ultimately triumphs.