Raipur’s churches are all set to celebrate Christmas festivities

With Christmas just two days away, the city is donning the festive mood. With lights and happiness all around, everyone is ready to celebrate. The city’s churches too are decorating and preparing in their own way to herald Jesus Christ’s birth. Raipur Times takes you to some of the city’s churches to catch up on all the preparations they’re making to welcome Baby Jesus.
St Joseph The Worker Catholic Church, Sector 6, Bhilai
Popularly known as the Sector 6 Parish, this is one of the major ones of the Raipur Archdiocese. It shepherds over 400 catholic families residing from sectors one to sector 10 and Hudco and has two chapels in the vicinity. One chapel is located in Hudco and the second one is in Indira Place, beside Bhilai Niwas. One of the oldest churches here, the old structure was demolished and the new one was constructed in September 2007. The church has also celebrated its golden jubilee. Sheela Francis, a school principal, shares, “We’ve been visiting this church for the past 10 years. Right now, the major attraction here is the carol singing. One can get to enjoy the joyous strains of all age groups coming together to sing yuletide tunes. During the mass, a big star is put up, symbolising the Star of Bethlehem that shone that first Christmas night. The main celebration starts at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Day. All the families gather here and pray fervently and the priests give their blessings. The next day being Christmas, many food stalls will be put up and the atmosphere will don a celebratory mood.”
St John The Baptist Church, Raipur
This is the most commonly visited church in Raipur. As carol singing and dance
competitions keep parishioners busy this season, the church is also undergoing a festive makeover with strings of lights adorning the majestic structure. Ajay Lakra, an active member of the church youth group, shares, “We’ve started decorating the church and it will take a week before the church is ready. We will hang lanterns of different shades across the church to replicate the starry sky that first Christmas night when Christ was born. The cake for the Christmas celebrations has already been ordered as well. We’re all looking forward to the day.”
Baptist Church
Besides its Christmas fete that will be held with great pomp, Christmas Eve will witness a grand carol singing service at the church, while Christmas Day will be ushered in with midnight mass that will see faithful heralding of the Lord’s birth. Rev Fr Rajesh Gardia from the church says, “Christmas is a celebration of not only Christ’s birth but also a reminder of his message of love. We have various songs, messages and dramas to drive the point home. It’s a reunion of all who want to celebrate this message. Preparations have already begun and the whole church has been decorated beautifully with lights and Christmas trees.” As their little gesture of charity, the parishioners will distribute new clothes and blankets to the needy.
Mar Thoma Church, Shanti Nagar
This 51-year-old parish was established to cater to the spiritual growth of the Mar Thoma community in the city. The motto of the church is ‘lighted to lighten’ which highlights the congregation’s will to serve and share the message of faith, hope and love of Christ. With over 80 families part of the parish, the church has a grand Christmas celebration every year. Rev Fr Minoy N Kuruvilla of the church informs, “We will celebrate the Christmas mass this year with choral music and carols followed by a small celebration among the parishioners.” On New Year’s Eve, the church will also have a special night vigil service and the faithful will distribute blankets to the under privileged.
St Pauls Cathedral, near Subhash Stadium
Established in 1882, this majestic church is one of the oldest in Chhattisgarh. The church is known for conducting a popular ceremonial Christmas mass to celebrate Christ’s birth. The members of the cathedral are all geared up to celebrate Christmas with carol singing sojourns and a Christmas rally that will witness over 10,000 participants. Pramod Maseeh, a member of the church, shares, “The mass will comprise of the church choir singing traditional carols followed by the celebration of Eucharist. On the afternoon of December 25, parishioners will also distribute meals at one of the government hospitals as a gesture of giving.”