The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Christmas celebrated with fervour

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Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Christmas celebrated with fervour

Staff Reporter

Devotees from Hyderabad and Secunderabad join celebrations at Medak church

Visitors break coconuts before entering the church
Tight security provided in view of terrorist threat

Celebration time: Christmas prayers being held at the CSI Church in Medak on Tuesday.

Medak: Christmas celebrations began here with the special prayer lead by bishop and moderator of Medak diocese church B.P. Sugandhar at the cathedral here. The special prayer began at 5 a.m. with the presbyter in charge Reverend Wilson carrying the Cross into the church with the altar boys in toe. Addressing the gathering the bishop called upon Christians to follow the teachings of Jesus. He said that Jesus was the epitome of sacrifice and his followers should know how to live for others. At 10 a.m., the presbyter in charge conducted a mass which was followed by carol singing.

Huge crowds

Devotees started pouring in in large numbers right from the early hours from all over the district and neighbouring Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The AP State Transport Corporation’s Medak depot arranged special buses to Hyderabad, Narsapur, Ramayampet and Yeldurty to cope with the rush .

A control room with a public address system was set up for the benefit of the devotees. The CSI grounds resembled a mela with several shops and eateries doing a roaring business.

Many visitors broke coconuts at the Cross near the cathedral before entering the church.

Tight security was provided at the church premises in view of the terrorist threat. Every pilgrim was frisked before he entered the church. All the bags were checked.

According Deputy Superintendent of Police Y. Raju 16 Sub-Inspectors, three Circle inspectors, 41 ASIs, 86 constables and 20 mahila constables were deployed. Christmas was celebrated with religious fervour also in Sangareddy and Sidipet. Bakeries all over the district offered several varieties of cakes and decorated the shops tastefully.

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