Christmas Celebrated With Éclat Across T, AP

Christians in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh celebrated Christmas with fervour and gaiety, with congregations and special prayers being held in churches since the early hours of the day.

The festivities began with midnight masses at many churches in Secunderabad and Hyderabad, which have a sizeable population of Christians. A major congregation was held at the 200-year-old St John's Church in Secunderabad. Hundreds of Christians attended St Mary's Church, All Saint's Church, Wesley Church, Holy Trinity Church and Millennium Methodist Church. Priests prayed for world peace and highlighted the message of Jesus' birth.

The festival was also celebrated on a grand scale at NTR Trust Bhavan. TDP leader and MLC T D Janardhan Rao and the Party's politburo member Motkupally Narasimhulu cut a cake and distributed it to the gathering. Wishing the people of the two Telugu-speaking States, they said that Jesus had sacrificed his life for the people's welfare, and that it was a festival intended to spread love. TDP official spokesperson E Peddireddy, MLCs Amarnath Babu and A P Ramana, A P Christians Minority Cell president T C Filiphs, and Saibaba also attended the function.

The three-day celebrations began at the historic Church of South India (CSI) at Medak. Believers carried a decorated Cross into the church and placed it before a specially-erected hut. Celebrations were also held in Khammam, Adilabad and other towns in Telangana. Christian families cut cakes as part of the celebrations and greeted each other on the occasion.

In Andhra Pradesh, celebrations were held in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Ongole, Kadapa, Bheemavaram and other towns. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited the Mary Matha Church in Gunadala and participated in prayers. Accompanied by Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani, MLA Gadde Ramamohan and several TDP leaders, Naidu exchanged greetings with Christians.

YSR Congress Party president and the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, accompanied by his family members, participated in the Christmas celebrations at CSI Church in Pulivendula in the Kadapa district. He offered special prayers to Jesus on the occasion. Former minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy, Y S Avinash Reddy and others also participated in the celebrations.