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Saturday, December 21, 2024
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The Christians in India are organized into local communities, regional or provincial bodies and national ones. Most Indian Christians have bishops as their regional head of a diocese and priests are incharge of each parish. According to the different traditions, an archbishop or a moderator or a metropolitan is superior to bishop. Christians share together basic beliefs which are enshrined in the Bible and in some early texts written by Christian leaders. At the root of all Christian tenets lies the 'Law of Love' according to the command of Christ himself 'Love one another as I have loved you'. In Christian worship the fountain
Pilgrim Centers Some of the Christian pilgrimage
are: St. Thomas Cathedral at Mylapore in Madras where the grave of Apostle St. Thomas
is venerated; St. Xavier's shrine |
head of love and dedication is the celebration of the Lord's Supper. 'Eucharist' which means 'thanksgiving
service' (Holy Mass) is offered by the priest, in the church, everyday. It is a
must for all Christians to attend a mass on every Sunday. In this religious observance the Christians recall with gratitude the
supper which Christ had with his disciples on the preceding night of his
crucification. Christ asked his Apostles to re-enact that rite, time and again as a
remembrance of his wholly dedicated life. During the Holy Mass people also
listen to the readings and preachings from the Holy Bible as the part of the rite. 
Christian families give importance
for their family prayers. All family members take part in the prayer which is
said before supper everyday. The Catholics recite rosary (set of beads in the
form of a chain), the prayer to Mother Mary is a common practice. Christians
also go on pilgrimage to different places. 
at Bom Jesus Church at old
Goa; the Church of Our Lady of Mount at Bandra, near Bombay; the Church
of Our Lady of Health at Vailankanni on the coastal line east of Tanjavur in
Tamil Nadu; the Church of Our Lady at Sardhana near Meerut in western Uttar
Pradesh, the
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary at Bandel, in north of Calcutta; the shrine
of St. Xavier at Kottar just north of Kaniyakumari; the Shrine of St. Theresa
of Avila at Mahe, close to Tellicherry in North Kerala; at Oriyur in Ramnad
district, Tamil Nadu Christians come to venerate the relics and pray to
St John de Britto who was martyred there in 1693. In the Orthodox church
of Manarkad near Kottayam, Mary's feast is celebrated on September 8 by St.
Thomas Christians.