Choristers clean their pipes as chill and Yuletide fervour come knocking at city

SECUNDERABAD

: December chill has gripped the city and so has the festive spirit. With Christmas round the corner, it’s that time of the year again to soak in Yuletide spirit.


Like previous years, St Mary’s Basilica Church on SD Road, one of the oldest churches in Secunderabad will remain the epicentre of Christmas activities for a few days now. While the Christmas programmes started at the beginning of the month with holding of first holy communion, a string of programmes, including confessions for Christmas and dance competition for parish children and night vigil service at St Ann’s High School are scheduled for December 21, 22 and 23.

“Adoration and carol singing in different languages will be held on the morning of December 24 followed by a skit on the Nativity of the Lord by our Catechism children. The midnight mass – Solemn Pontifical Holy Mass will start from 11.45 onwards on Monday,” said Rev. Msgr. Swarna Bernard, Rector and Parish Priest.

At CSI, Church of St John the Baptist, the main prayer for the festivals known as Christmas Eve service will commence from 11pm onwards on December 24. “We would have special carol singing by the choir on December 24 and 25. For the Christmas day, a crowd of 600 people is expected to visit the church. A significant feature of the church is its 115-year-old pipe organ. We do not conduct carol singing without the organ,” informed Rev KM Charles Wesley.

Unlike others, Wesley Church, located in front of the clock tower in Secunderabad, does not have the tradition of holding the midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Instead, the Christmas worship starts at early morning on December 25 and the service will be held in Tamil, Telugu and English language. Also, carols by candlelight is also scheduled for December 23 at the Church.

The city’s Anglo-Indian community is all agog about their biggest festival. The community is preparing for a grand bash with the unveiling of its Christmas tree on December 22. Warren Latouche, President of All India Anglo-Indian Association Hyderabad Secunderabad said, “Christmas is a fun time for us when the entire family and our friends from abroad come together to celebrate.”