The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
TODAY, Christians celebrate Palm Sunday.
This is one of the most enduring legacies of the Christian religion, which marks the remembrance of Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
This year’s event is unique in the sense that most churches will, for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrate Easter through their traditional pilgrimages.
The first local coronavirus case was recorded in March 2020, forcing the nation to go under a lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly pandemic.
Under the lockdown, huge gatherings, open services and masses were suspended.
However — with Covid-19 seemingly under control, following a mass vaccination drive — Covid-19 regulations were relaxed. And traditional pilgrimages are now back on the Christians’ calendar.
Most of the gatherings are starting today and will run throughout the week, culminating in Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday is characterised by long processions in which believers wave palm branches, singing victory songs as they mark the beginning of the holy week that culminates in the Easter holiday.
The branches have to be blessed by a cleric before the procession rites begin.
According to some Christians, historically, these branches were used because they were significant and palm trees were common within the Mediterranean.
It is during Palm Sunday that believers are educated and reminded of the meaning of this period and what is expected of each one of them.
Christians use the moment to rebuild spiritual bonds with God.
For some, the forty days while awaiting Palm Sunday are a time to confess their sins to priests or church leaders.
Basically, Palm Sunday means Christians should bank their lives in Christ and live a Christ-like life.
The Sunday Mail Society caught up with leaders of some churches, who shared their Easter programmes.
Roman Catholic Church
After celebrating their Easter masses in small numbers last year, the Roman Catholic Church Archdiocese of Harare will this year host their traditional festivities at cluster level.
The masses are running under the Lenten appeal “From despair to hope in synodality against drug and substance abuse”. Resources are being mobilised to help in dealing with drug abuse-related issues and restore hope to the less-privileged.
The church will also hold a series of prayers and thanksgiving sessions, with the faithful also fasting.
During the activities, the church will be dedicating the nation to God for a peaceful election season.
“This year’s Lenten and Easter seasons come as we step towards elections, hence most of our messages will be on preaching peace.
“Gathering from Deuteronomy 10:18, we are also encouraging all members in the Archdiocese to be conscious of child-headed families, widows and foreigners, among others,” said Fr Lawrence Ndlovu.
Zion Christian Church (ZCC)
Scores of ZCC congregants are expected to gather at the Mbungo shrine in Bikita district, Masvingo, for the Easter conference.
The pilgrims will continue worshipping under the theme “Gore rekutenda Mwari wakatiburitsa muCovid”.
“It is a miracle that we are alive to this day, hence we cannot thank God enough,” said Bishop Sanctions Mutendi.
Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM)
AFM will celebrate Easter at regional level, with each region having its own theme.
The church’s president, Mr Amon Madawo, reckons the nation is not yet safe from Covid-19. He, thus, urged congregants to play it safe during their regional Easter programmes.
“It is almost impossible to restrict congregants at such events, hence, in our respective regions, we will be careful. It is also a time when we will pray for this year’s elections; we need peace to prevail regardless of the situation,” he said.
The church will be preaching the message of hope for its congregants.
After surviving Covid-19, said Mr Madawo, it is prudent for us to remind each other of the second coming of Christ.
“We still have a mission to fulfil, so it is key for us to remind each other of His second coming and keep each other in line.”
United Methodist Church (UMC)
Each pastor is set to run their programmes under different themes. Throughout the weekend, the different clusters will be congregating to remember the death and resurrection of Christ.
“We are excited to get time to gather and worship freely this Easter following three difficult years.
“Being alive and Covid-19-free to this day is by God’s grace, so our biggest message is ‘healing’. After the devastating pandemic, we need to heal,” said Reverend Oswell Kaseke.
African Apostolic Church (AAC)
The AAC church will meet in Guvambwa, Hwedza, for their traditional Passover Feast, with founder Mutumwa Paul Mwazha expected to prepare and serve the Holy Communion.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, Harare East Conference, will be celebrating their week-long Easter under the theme “Be strong, work hard. Rebuild the house of the Lord”, derived from Haggai 2:4.
The verse reads: “Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord, and work. For I am with you, declares the Lord Almighty.”
Salvation Army major Cephas Ndlovu said the Easter message will emphasise on courage ahead of the elections.
“This is an election year and a message of peace and having courage is key. We need more prayers as we prepare for the polling season, so as a church, it is our role to pray for the nation. As we commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ, peace should be the key message.”
Faith in Trinity Church
Their Easter theme is “Nothing is impossible before God: A year of great expansion”.
The theme is buttressed by 2 Chronicles 4:10.
“As we are trying to recover, we also have elections this year, which makes the entire situation sensitive, hence a message of hope and encouragement is what people need,” reckons pastor Stewart Mhuru.
Prophetic Ministry International Church (PMI)
PMI founder Prophet Advocate Joshua Chirambwe said: “The church will celebrate Easter under the words ‘If you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The theme is derived from Romans 10:9.
“Our mission is to expand the Kingdom of God, remembering how he was crucified to liberate us and the sacrificial work of the cross,” he said.
