Churches offer online Easter prayer services

Christian Church authorities in Bangladesh are conducting online prayer services during the holy week ahead of Easter Sunday on April 12, after closing doors to the churches across the country to avoid any public gathering amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Church authorities have instructed all Christians not to go to churches, in line with the government order. On Sundays, we are using Facebook Live for prayer service now," said Father Augustine Bulbul Rebeiro, director of Christian Communications Centre in Dhaka.

On Easter Sunday, authorities will conduct the prayer service via Facebook Live, as churches have been closed since March 22 following government directive, he said.

"Now we are towards the end of Lent [40-day fasting period] and will celebrate Easter Sunday on April 12. We call it a holy week and have frequent prayer services. So, we are doing it via Facebook," he told The Daily Star yesterday.

Easter Sunday is celebrated in memory of what Christians believe to be the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion.

Church authorities have also asked all to stay home and follow instructions to prevent transmission of Covid-19.