Palm Sunday Celebration at St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait
Sunday, March 20, 2016
The Palm Sunday celebration of St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait was attended by a lot of orthodox church members from various part of Kuwait, celebrated in Indian Community School, Khaithan. Palm Sunday is otherwise known as Osana Njayarazhcha or Kuruthola Perunnal in Malayalam is celebrated in preparation to the Holy Week. Palm Sunday with religious reverence marking the beginning of Holy Week ending with Easter . Palm Sunday is celebrated with a lot of reverence around the world with churches distributing palm leaves freshly cut from coconut trees to commemorate Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in his path, before his arrest and crucifixion on Good Friday.
People gone in procession holding tender coconut leaves. The faithful practices this in remembrance of the day on which Jesus Christ's was victorious entry into the city of Jerusalem. In remembrance of this incident, hymns of hosanna 'Hosanna to the son of David..." sung throughout the procession. Starting from palm sunday , the Christians will observe the next seven days with lots of religious fervor and will celebrate Easter.
The blessed palm leaves that are used by the faithful will be preserved at their homes and displayed in the best part of the home and on the coming Christmas eve it's returned to the church and burnt during Christmas service.
Fr. Philip Tharakan Thevalakkara, Vice President of Orthodox Christian Youth Movement and Fr. Sanju John, the vicar of St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church were the chief celebrants.
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