Special prayers in churches for Good Friday today, Easter celebrations follow on Sunday

Pune: Churches across the city have gone ahead with the Holy Week observance, adapting plans, but holding firmly to tradition, even as heavy rain lashes Pune — flooding several low-lying areas and disrupting daily life.At St Mary's Church in Camp, Maundy Thursday service included the symbolic washing of feet, followed by a special service in the evening. "We observe the entire Holy Week with deep devotion. On Good Friday, we meditate on the Seven Last Words spoken by Christ on the cross. The service concludes with the sharing of hot cross buns with the entire congregation. Holy Saturday is observed as a quiet day of reflection, leading into Easter Sunday, when we hold services at 8am and 10.30am. Our Sunday school children get chocolate Easter eggs prepared by one of our parishoners," said Dr Sujata Sanjay Pandit, honorary secretary of the church.Preparations have not slowed down despite the weather. The church, which is set to complete 200 years on July 3, has installed a pandal to accommodate the large turnout expected over the weekend. "We are a parish of about 500 families and attendance is high for Good Friday and Easter. We extend the space outdoors accordingly," Pandit said.At St Patrick's Cathedral, uncertainty lingered as rain threatened outdoor arrangements. "The bishop will visit and take a call on how we can accommodate attendees in the outside area," said Father Matthew D'Souza. "We are prepared either way. There is a full backup indoors with generators, but the crowd will be large. At least 3,000 people attend Good Friday and Easter mass, so outdoor space helps," he said.On Good Friday, the cathedral will hold hour-long English services at 7am and 9am, along with a Hindi service at 8am. Easter Sunday will see a packed lineup — beginning with a Hindi mass at 7am, followed by English services at 8.15am, 9.45am, 11am and 6pm — reflecting the high turnout expected.In Talegaon Dabhade, El Shaddai Methodist Church has also planned an intensive schedule. "We have a guest speaker from the Sangli-Kolhapur region for Good Friday. Holy Saturday will be dedicated to a full-day seminar," said Nirmala Sakhare,a church member. Easter Sunday will begin early, with a sunrise worship service at 5.30am led entirely by women, followed by a 9.30am service in Marathi. "Our church is filled to capacity with around 250-300 people. The celebrations include choir performances and gospel singing," she added.