Thursday, March 28, 2024
Religion

Christian Ways and Practices

Christianity | Development Christian ways and Practices | Christians In India

The Christians in India are organized into local communities, regional or provincial bodies and national ones. Most Indian Christians have bishops as their regional head of a diocese and priests are incharge of each parish. According to the different traditions, an archbishop or a moderator or a metropolitan is superior to bishop. 


Christians share together basic beliefs which are enshrined in the Bible and in some early texts written by Christian leaders. At the root of all Christian tenets lies the 'Law of Love' according to the command of Christ himself  'Love one another as I have loved you'.

In Christian worship the fountain Holy Mass head of love and dedication is the celebration of the Lord's Supper. 'Eucharist' which means 'thanksgiving service' (Holy Mass) is offered by the priest, in the church, everyday. It is a must for all Christians to attend a mass on every Sunday. In this religious observance the Christians recall with gratitude the supper which Christ had with his disciples on the preceding night of his crucification. Christ asked his Apostles to re-enact that rite, time and again as a remembrance of his wholly dedicated life. During the Holy Mass people also listen to the readings and preachings from the Holy Bible as the part of the rite. 

rosaryChristian families give importance for their family prayers. All family members take part in the prayer which is said before supper everyday. The Catholics recite rosary (set of beads in the form of a chain), the prayer to Mother Mary is a common practice. Christians also go on pilgrimage to different places. 

Pilgrim Centers

Some of the Christian pilgrimage are: St. Thomas Cathedral at Mylapore in Madras where the grave of Apostle St. Thomas is venerated; St. Xavier's shrineBom Jesus Church at Goa at Bom Jesus Church at old Goa; the Church of Our Lady of Mount at Bandra, near Bombay; the Church of Our Lady of Health at Vailankanni on the coastal line east of Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu; the Church of Our Lady at Sardhana near Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary at Bandel, in north of Calcutta; the shrine of St. Xavier at Kottar just north of Kaniyakumari; the Shrine of St. Theresa of Avila at Mahe, close to Tellicherry in North Kerala; at Oriyur in Ramnad district, Tamil Nadu Christians come to venerate the relics and pray to St John de Britto who was martyred there in 1693. In the Orthodox church of Manarkad near Kottayam, Mary's feast is celebrated on September 8 by St. Thomas Christians.