The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
HE has risen!
Christians are today celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also known as Resurrection Sunday, the day goes beyond Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies.
This is a special day for congregants, as they believe Jesus’ resurrection is testimony of the Creator’s power and that His Son is still among them.
Talk of His victory over death.
After three turbulent years due to the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in lockdowns and gathering bans, the faithful have this time around come out in full force to observe their traditional Easter pilgrimages, open services or mass.
The last three editions of the Christian holiday were largely observed virtually.
The Holy Week, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Christ, is one of the most sacred on the Christian calendar.
In fact, Easter Sunday is a culmination of a busy week in which most churches have been conducting services daily.
The Easter commemorations opened with Palm Sunday, last week. The Easter holiday started on Friday and ends tomorrow.
For some congregants, Palm Sunday was characterised by families praying and singing processional songs while carrying palm fronds. The procession is recognised as the start of Jesus’ march to his death on the cross.
On Tuesday, Roman Catholics had a Chrism service, which was then followed by the Lord’s Supper mass on Thursday.
“Friday, we had our ‘Way of the Cross vigil’, Saturday was Easter vigil mass and today (Sunday), we have our big day, which is the traditional Easter Mass,” said Archdiocese of Harare vicar-general Father Kennedy Muguti.
Fight against drug abuse
The Catholic Church is celebrating the day under their Lenten period theme “From despair to hope in synodality against drug and substance abuse”.
Fr Muguti said the church has throughout the week been praying for the nation for a successful fight against drug and substance abuse.
In February, the Zimbabwe Republic Police launched a national anti-drug blitz dubbed “No to Drugs and illicit Substances: See Something, Say Something” to curb the drug scourge that had reached alarming levels.
In the various raids made across the country, more than 3 000 drug peddlers and users were nabbed.
“We are also praying for a peaceful election season, preaching peace and mentally preparing our congregants,” he said.
For the Zion Christian Church, Easter is the church’s biggest gathering; it attracts thousands of congregants from across the globe.
President Mnangagwa is usually a guest at the church’s shrine in Mbungo, Masvingo, during these celebrations.
On Wednesday, the church had its traditional “Big Chitatu” service, where Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi delivered a service titled “Make Yourself Available”.
The church went on to celebrate the Good Friday vigil in recognition of the crucifixion of Jesus. Today, under the theme “Ungano yeGore Remugidhi”, the church will conduct a long procession in Defe, led by Bishop Mutendi.
“We are also livestreaming all main activities; in the past, our all-night prayers were for the youth but this year, we have opened them up to everyone, hence the theme ‘Ungano yeGore Remughidhi,” said Bishop Sanctions Mutendi.
“This Easter, we are also praying for elections.
“Some people still suffer from past traumas, hence the need to renew their hope for life and peaceful elections.”
Hope/Unity
The Anglican Diocese of Manicaland is celebrating Easter differently this year.
Manicaland priest Reverend Tom Samtereko said the church is focusing on the gospel of resurrection, to give hope to its congregants.
Deriving from Luke 24, the clergyman said: “We believe that with his resurrection, our challenges and fears can be wiped away; people need healing.”
The church had Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday services, where the gatherings were held in the evenings to accommodate the working class. Part of the message encouraged congregants to be united and peaceful.
The cleric said the challenges bedevilling the country will be overcome if people work as a collective.
“We also had Maundy Thursday (last supper), Chrism mass, blessing of oils and renewal of vows for the priests in Mutare at the cathedral.
“We then celebrated Good Friday and Holy Saturday, which we also call Easter Vigil or Baptism Saturday, preparing for the resurrection of Jesus.
“Today is the big day; we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and renewal of our lives. It is also time for healing because holding on to the past may trigger more troubles. This is also a period to lay the foundation for peaceful elections, which is possible if people remain true to biblical teaching,” he said.
The United Methodist Church’s Reverend Oswell Kaseke said it was imperative to pray for peace during and after the elections.
This, he said, was part of the programme in their various cluster celebrations.
“The message will be reminding congregants that God is saying: ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ It will raise hope in believers and heal those who have been through tough times in the past.
“Resurrection Sunday marks a new beginning for believers and renewed hope for a great year ahead,” he said.
Chitungwiza and Marondera district superintendent Reverend Godknows Risinamhodzi said they are gathered to celebrate the rebirth of Christ in various sections across the country. The services will run physically and virtually.
“Easter Sunday marks our rebirth as believers. It comes at a crucial time, as we prepare for the upcoming elections. I believe we all need reassurance, as we approach this period,” he said.
Glen Norah Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) is celebrating Easter Sunday under the banner “Be the light of the World”.
The congregants are gathered in Shamva, where they have been running revival services from Friday, culminating in the partaking of the Holy Communion today.
“Some people are scared of the year. We are taking Easter as an opportunity for us to pray and find ways, as believers, to create a conducive environment for peaceful elections,” said CCAP’s Reverend Gibson Botomani.
Fasting
Some are fasting today.
“We are here for results-oriented prayers, as we dedicate the year to God for a peaceful year ahead. Everyone is uneasy because of the elections. We felt it is our role as a church to preach and pray for harmony, and take the message out there,” City of God Apostolic Church (COG) priest Rodrick Chiriya said.
The church is celebrating Jesus’ resurrection under the theme “Gore Rezvibereko Zvomweya”, with their major highlight being the partaking of the Holy Communion.
Miracles of Faith International Ministries is hosting a healing Communion service dubbed “The Compensation Year”.
Founding pastor Charity Garakara said the message is meant to remind worshippers that despite suffering under Covid-19 in the past years, and having to face elections thereafter, all hope is not lost.
Salvation Army, Harare East Conference, is celebrating the day under the theme “Be strong, work hard. Rebuild the house of the Lord”, derived from Haggai 2:4.
“It is our role to pray for the nation, preach peace and then be examples out there because even protestors are ‘believers’ ahead of everything, so it is a matter of reminding each other of our roles,” said the church’s major Cephas Ndlovu.
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