The churches across city came alive for the Christmas here on Sunday. As the day coincided with the weekend, all major churches saw a huge rush of devotees and Christian brethren offering prayers.
If the Christians attended the masses, people from other religions also made a beeline with the children to have a glimpse of illuminated churches and the beautifully designed cribs.
If all major churches hosted the masses through the day, the carol singing heralded the Christmas season.
The main event was held at the famous St Philomena church, where hundreds of people attended the morning prayer. Several foreign tourists and travellers also joined their local counterparts for the regular prayers. The evening masses also witnessed a huge rush on Sunday.
Earlier, as the clock struck 12 O clock on Saturday night the celebrations ushered in with the Bishop of Mysore Thomas A Vazhapally placing the infant jesus in the crib in the church premises. The birth of Jesus heralded carol singing as several groups presented carols throughout the night.
X’mas carols
The carol singing also spread joy in other important churches across city. Wesley church, Bartholomeo church in the heart of city, the Hardwicke church in Lakshmipuram, the Infant Jesus church on Hinkal road and at N R Mohalla and churches at Ashokapuram also came alive for Christmas eve on Saturday night.
As the bright illumination of the church buildings caught the attention of the visitors, the children enjoyed the tasty cake distributed in all these churches. The church staff and volunteers dressed in Santa Claus were seen with the children in St Philomena church. While, the Santa’s grotto also attracted the children at several other churches in city.
Meanwhile, senior political leaders visited the Bishop House to wish Bishop Thomas A Vazhapally for Christmas. District in-charge minister S A Ramdas, MP Adagur H Vishwanath, MLAs Shankaralinge Gowda and others met the Bishop and wished him a merry christmas.
The Bishop’s House was thronged by poor people drawn from all religions who were distributed cakes and given financial help. People from all walks of life continued to throng the Bishop’s house to wish him happy christmas. The Bishop also led the mass prayers at St Philomena church in the evening.