Prayagraj: In a vibrant start to the Christmas season, the Church of North India (CNI) Diocese of Lucknow hosted a grand candlelight service at St Peter Church in Muirabad on Sunday evening. The church premises glowed with colorful lights as Christian hymns echoed, with the congregation immersed in prayers celebrating the anticipation of Lord Jesus Christ’s birth late into the night. Bishop Dan served as chief guest, while Rev Praveen Massey presided over the event. Rev Massey, in his address, described Jesus Christ as the light dispelling worldly darkness and urged believers to embody love, peace, and service in daily lives. He extended advance Christmas greetings and called for fostering harmony and brotherhood in society. Families lit candles for special prayers recalling Christ’s birth, with church choirs, children, and youth delivering captivating carols and bhajans sharing Nativity messages amid floral decorations and spiritual lighting.

Similar candlelight services illuminated other city churches, including Chowk Church, Methodist Church, Naini Church, and St Joseph Church, where priests and faithful processed with candles, igniting the “Light of Hope” for peace across Prayagraj and the nation. The program was coordinated by Rev Ajit Francis, Rev Shashi Prakash, David Dutta (tanu Vyas), school principals Mary Lucas and Abhishek Vyas, Arun Moses, Naveen Benjamin, Justin Masih, Sunil Kumar Verma, and Surrender Masih from the church committee. Meanwhile, Jamuna Church launched a Christmas fair inaugurated by Bishop Dan, and St John Church on Katju Road held a Christmas tree event by WFCS According to Christian tradition, these services kick off a month of special prayers and carol singing leading to Christmas, blending devotion with community joy across Prayagraj’s churches