NEWS: Thousands pray for peace on Christmas

----------------------------------------------------------
Archives:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/
----------------------------------------------------------

Thousands pray for peace on Christmas

>From Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Thousands of Christians as well as people of other
faiths celebrated Christmas Wednesday in the Indian capital and prayed for
peace and tranquility.

Churches across the city were decorated with colourful lights and people
gathered there Tuesday evening to light candles and greet each other.

At a special inter-religious prayer meeting at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on
the eve of the Christmas, people prayed for peace, brotherhood and religious
tolerance.

Archbishop of Delhi, Vincent M. Concessao, appealed to the people to respect
each other's feelings and forget the sectarian violence that gripped Gujarat
earlier this year.

"We should look at the horizon and pray for the future. The year has been
full of violence and attack on various institutions that has pained all
right thinking people," said Concessao.

"But let us forget all that and think of the poor and unfortunate brothers
and sisters. There are so many orphans and homeless people facing problems
in the winter season. Lets pray for them."

Religious leaders of different faiths attended the prayer meeting.

Midnight mass, carols, plum cakes and fraternal feelings marked the
festival. Services were also offered at churches dotted throughout the city.

Santa Claus was seen all over the city, especially at shopping plazas and
market areas, greeting Merry Christmas to everyone.

The city is home to over 100,000 of India's 24 million Christians.

They participated in the reading of scriptures and the singing the carols
and distributed cakes and sweets.

Said college student Joshua Ebenezer: "The festivities begins with Christmas
and continues till the New Year. It's a good time to meet friends and
remember old ones."

"Sending and receiving greeting cards, gifts and sweets keeps you busy
throughout the festival."

--Indo-Asian News Service


WANT TO check out which mailing lists you could subscribe to? Send a blank 
email message to goanet-request-fkB0aodkGtPQT0dZR+AlfA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
========================================================================
Ongoing: Exhibition of paintings, Art Chamber, Calangute www.goa-art.com
Dec 23-Jan 7: Dayanita Singh's photo exhibition, Art House Tel 2276123
Jan  18-19: International kite carnival at Morgim beach, Pernem
========================================================================