Date:26/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/26/stories/2007122650140200.htm

Kerala

Christmas celebrated

PRAYER TIME: A special service held as part of the midnight mass at St. John’s Cathedral in Thiruvalla on Christmas eve.

For the faithful, Christmas is an occasion to remember Jesus Christ. The entire Central Travancore celebrated Christmas on Tuesday and special services were held at various churches on Christmas eve.

The ritualistic holy midnight mass held at St. John’s Cathedral in the heart of Thiruvalla was well attended. Archbishop of Thiruvalla Thomas Mar Koorilos was the chief celebrant at the midnight mass. Mon. Cherian Ramanalil Corepiscopa, Fr Abrah am Mulamottil, MACFAST principal and parish priest Cherian Thazhamon were the co-celebrants. A unique fire-warming ritual was held as part of the celebration. The atmosphere was surcharged with devotion. A statue of Infant Jesus was ceremoniously taken out in a procession. The priests and the faithful proceeded to a specially prepared fireplace in front of the cathedral in devout veneration, symbolising the warming of the ‘baby’ immediately after the birth of Jesus. And the mass was over by midnight.

Festive mood

Every Christian home here prepared a crib made of dry grass. The business community too had a heyday as sales reached a feverish pitch on Monday evening.

Radhakrishnan Kuttoor