PESHAWAR: The Christian community here in the provincial metropolis celebrated Easter on Sunday by worshipping at their homes and following the pastors via Facebook live streaming amid lockdown.

According to community people, it was for the first time that they remained confined to their homes. The pastors delivered their sermons in churches as the people watched the service online and offered prayers.

The people recalled that the community had faced problems during the militancy days, but did not abandon the events.

They also talked about the twin-suicide bombing on All Saints Church, Peshawar and remembered the sacrifices offered by the community for the country.

“Easter marks the end of the holy week of prayers and penitence, recalling the final phase of the Christ’s life from his crucifixion to resurrection,” said Rev Shahzad Murad, pastor of All Saints Church at Kohati Gate, while talking to this correspondent.

In Peshawar, he said, the community used to take out Easter procession at around 4am from All Saints Church area with thousands of participants and would meet relatives and friends, but all such events were cancelled this year due to the spread of coronavirus.

He said it was time that people of all religions should offer prayers to seek forgivenessfor their sins.

Other representatives said that the online preaching on Easter’s eve had been arranged from many of the main churches, including All Saints Church, Saint John Cathedral, Saint Michael’s Catholic Church on Mall Road, etc.

At the Saint John Cathedral, the online prayer was led by Church of Pakistan’s Moderator, Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters. He also prayed for protection of people from coronavirus and peace in the country.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2020