Easter Sunday

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. On Sunday, March 31st, His Excellency Mar Eusebius celebrated the Easter services and Holy Qurbono at St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church, New Rochelle, together with Rev. Fr. Sunny Mathew Kavuvila and all the parishioners and religious of the parish.

After the Third Qaumo of the Night Office, the celebrant enters the sanctuary to silently pray the Service of the Resurrection. The buried cross is taken from its spot underneath the altar, the burial wrappings are removed, and the cross is washed before it is decorated with a crimson cloth. The crimson cloth symbolizes Christ's victory over death and fulfills a prophesy by Isaiah (63: 1). The celebrant announces to the congregation, who have been waiting and spiritually preparing for this moment throughout Lent and especially during Passion Week, “Brothers and sisters, I proclaim to you a new message: the Lord God has risen from the tomb and has driven back His enemies!” After a solemn announcement of the Resurrection, the Fourth Qaumo of the Night Office and the Morning Office is prayed.

During the services proper to the feast of Easter qyomtho, there is a solemn, joyous procession and the exaltation of the cross. Recalling the joy which the Lord promised to His Apostles, and as a sign of their communion with Him and with one another, the faithful exchange the Kiss of Peace in a moving ceremony during the service. Afterward, a solemn Holy Qurbono is celebrated for the faithful.

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Read His Excellency's Easter Message

And read the Holy Father's Homily for the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Urbi et Orbi Message