Christian community in city observes Holy Week with solemn reflection

Pune: The Christian community in the city is observing the Holy Week, which began with Palm Sunday (April 13) and will conclude with Easter Sunday (April 20), with solemn reflection. Across the city, churches are preparing for a busy calendar of services. "All Holy Week services will take place at St. Patrick's Cathedral. On Maundy Thursday (April 17), the Lord's Supper will be held at 5am in Hindi in the cathedral and at 6:30 pm in English in the school quadrangle, followed by Holy Hour in the cathedral until midnight. The Easter vigil is on April 19 at 8 pm in the quadrangle. Easter Sunday masses will be held in the cathedral," said Father Jason Chettiar.He added that Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will be observed by following tradition. "We will carry out Passion Enactment, a re-enactment of Jesus Christ on his way to Calvary, on the premises at 8am on Friday. The washing of feet and taking out a procession with the cross are part of our customs each year."At St. Mary's Church in Camp, Reverend Sophia Makasare said that services will be spread across the key days of the week. "There will be a service on Thursday at 6.30pm, then the Good Friday service will be held from 12noon to 3pm. On Easter, we will have two services at 8am followed by 10.30am," she said.Immaculate Conception Church, known locally as City Church, will also hold multiple services. "We expect around 300–400 visitors for the 6.30pm Maundy Thursday service and two services (3pm in Marathi and 6pm in English) on Good Friday. The focus is on prayer and reflecting on one's life. The attendance is highest for Easter services that are held in Marathi, Konkani, and English," said Father Mariano D'Silva.For many parishioners, the week is also marked by quiet family traditions. Watching The Passion of the Christ on Good Friday has become an annual ritual in several Christian households. Others spend the day in silence or purchase Hot Cross Buns, traditionally eaten after the afternoon service."On Good Friday, we keep the TV off until evening. We attend the service, watch a film on Christ's passion, and end the day with buns and quiet reflection," said Teresa Fernandes from Fatimanagar.Clinton D'Costa, a resident of Pimple Saudagar, said, "My family has a tradition of fasting through Good Friday, then breaking it with a simple meal and hot cross buns."Pune: The Christian community in the city is observing the Holy Week, which began with Palm Sunday (April 13) and will conclude with Easter Sunday (April 20), with solemn reflection. Across the city, churches are preparing for a busy calendar of services. "All Holy Week services will take place at St. Patrick's Cathedral. On Maundy Thursday (April 17), the Lord's Supper will be held at 5am in Hindi in the cathedral and at 6:30 pm in English in the school quadrangle, followed by Holy Hour in the cathedral until midnight. The Easter vigil is on April 19 at 8 pm in the quadrangle. Easter Sunday masses will be held in the cathedral," said Father Jason Chettiar.He added that Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will be observed by following tradition. "We will carry out Passion Enactment, a re-enactment of Jesus Christ on his way to Calvary, on the premises at 8am on Friday. The washing of feet and taking out a procession with the cross are part of our customs each year."At St. Mary's Church in Camp, Reverend Sophia Makasare said that services will be spread across the key days of the week. "There will be a service on Thursday at 6.30pm, then the Good Friday service will be held from 12noon to 3pm. On Easter, we will have two services at 8am followed by 10.30am," she said.Immaculate Conception Church, known locally as City Church, will also hold multiple services. "We expect around 300–400 visitors for the 6.30pm Maundy Thursday service and two services (3pm in Marathi and 6pm in English) on Good Friday. The focus is on prayer and reflecting on one's life. The attendance is highest for Easter services that are held in Marathi, Konkani, and English," said Father Mariano D'Silva.For many parishioners, the week is also marked by quiet family traditions. Watching The Passion of the Christ on Good Friday has become an annual ritual in several Christian households. Others spend the day in silence or purchase Hot Cross Buns, traditionally eaten after the afternoon service."On Good Friday, we keep the TV off until evening. We attend the service, watch a film on Christ's passion, and end the day with buns and quiet reflection," said Teresa Fernandes from Fatimanagar.Clinton D'Costa, a resident of Pimple Saudagar, said, "My family has a tradition of fasting through Good Friday, then breaking it with a simple meal and hot cross buns."