By AAT, Faith Uchara(Abuja) and Adedoyin Falolu,(Akure).
Easter Holiday tells a lot about Christians across the world. It is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion.
Many Christian’s faithful sees the period as a fulfilled prophecy of the messiah who died for our sins and rose up on the third day.
One of the signs of Easter is the holy week which starts with a Sunday popularly known as “Palm Sunday” which in the Christian tradition is the first day of the Holy Week commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
So, the Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday after which Easter is the three days after the death of Jesus on the cross.
ABUJA
As the whole world anticipates the commemoration of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, lot of activities are going on in various denominations. There are special events that churches organize for this season, and churches in Abuja are not left out.
Members of some selected churches spoke with Sparklightnews correspondent on Tuesday, 23rd March, 2021.
Mr. Solomon of Living Faith Church, Jikwoyi, stated that the sermons of the commission since the beginning of the month have largely been about the imminent coming of The Lord. He said that the preacher enjoined to live their lives with eternity in view, even as they celebrate Easter.
In Lighthouse, Utako, Abuja, there are preparations for drama, choir renditions and spoken words by the drama, choir and creativity departments in the church. All these activities are all centered on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Deeper Life Bible Church, Kado, the members are preparing for their annual retreat which will take place between 1st-4th of April. This year’s retreat theme is the GREAT LIBERATION. Preparation is on by members and workers of the denomination, as this year’s Easter Retreat is scheduled to hold at Group of District, base.
As people prepare for this commemoration, some are planning to go back home to spend the Yuletide with their families.
ABEOKUTA
Our correspondent who went across the town noticed that it was only orthodox churches who still keep up with the celebration of Palm Sunday. At the Entrance of the church, palms were being shared for members and the church has been decorated with palms as well.
At St John’s Church Igbehin,Abeokuta,a lay warden was spotted sitting on a donkey with a palm cross hung across his neck.
Some churches in robes were seen on the streets disguising Jesus Christ carrying a big cross and others were seen putting on mourning cloths with a cross bearer leading the procession.
It was also gathered that other churches in the pentecostal categories were seen celebrating in different ways like The Redeemed Christian Church of God,(RCCG) preparing for its yearly Lets go and fishing programme to win souls for Christ instead of celebrating Easter while the Deeper Life is also planning for its retreat.
Many Pentecostal churches had already fasted at the beginning of the year while the orthodox churches are still following the yearly fasting leading to Easter.
AKURE
Churches across Akure celebrated Palm Sunday in different ways. The Anglican, Methodist and white garments were seen celebrating palm Sunday where Easter messages which centred around resurrection formed the topic of their sermon. Many attendees were seen hanging palm cross on their neck and the churches were designed with palm trees as well.
LAGOS
The Winners Chapel,Ota instead of celebrating Palm Sunday tagged the Sunday Service “covenant day of divine protection” where Bishop Davido Oyedepo emphasized more on Obedience while many orthodox churches sighted in Lagos observed the yearly Palm Sunday by displaying palm trees around their churches while members hung their cross signs around their necks with elderly members fixing theirs inside their bible.
As Nigerians and many christians across the globe anticipates this year 2021 Easter, it is believed that the reason Christ died which was to cleanse away our sin will be made manifest in the lives of the country and the World at large.