By Correspondent in Awka
Christians in Nigeria have been urged not to lose faith in God due to the current harsh economic situation of the country and reminded that triumphant entry of Jesus Christ meant deliverance from hardship.
Rev. Chukwudi Nwachukwuma of Church of the Pentecost Awka, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Awka gave the advice on Sunday in a homily, entitled“ Hosanna;The Messiah has come,”
To butres his point, he said that hosanna meant that the people of the old called out to Christ to save them from hardship of Romania empire when he entered Jerusalem.
Going memory lane,Nwachukwuma said that Hosanna meant a plea from the people in time of hardship during the Romania empire where they people were ruled in difficulty and they carried out to Christ for help.
The cleric,who noted that currently, Nigeria had been characterised by corruption, insecurity economic meltdown, called on Christians not to give up faith in God.
“ Let us call on God to restore our nation and bless us once again and keep Nigeria united,” he said.
He said that that same plea of hosanna remained relevant in current reality of hardship and asked Christians not to give up faith rather should pray more for sustenance.
Mr Chizoba Enekwechi, a parishioner, said that palm Sunday remainded the Christians of the efficacy of prayer and encouraged the faithful to stand firm in faith.
He urged Christians to pray against all forms of bad leadership in the country, corruption public and private sector of the economy, immorality and other social vices.
Mrs Ada Okafor, another parishioner, described palm Sunday service as a special service to mark the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
Okafor said that as Christians, it was believed that with prayers, every form challenge being faced in Nigeria would be resolved by special prayers offered.
Our Correspondent,who monitored other special Holy Masses held in various churches in Awka to mark the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem reports fuller services.
Some parishioners in some churches visited were seen holding Palm Fronds used in the decoration of the churches.
At the Church of the Pentecost and Saint Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral Awka, the service and Holy Mass started with the blessing of the Palm Fronds.
In his homily, Rev. Father Attansi, said the betrayal seen in the life of one of the disciples of Jesus Christ during his passion was was aimed at achieving the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Attansi frowned that Christians who he said betrayed their loved ones and very unappreciative of good deeds as was seen in the life of Judas Iscariot.
He said that people should do unto others as they would want people to do unto them, so that the society would be a better place to live in.
The cleric charged faithful to use Holy Week to draw closer to God, through confessions and receiving of the Blessed Sacrament.
At Saint Jude’s Anglican Church Adazi-Ani, the faithful marched round the community with their Palm Frond, spraying and shouting Hosanna! Hosanna! in the highest.
In his sermon after the processions, the Archdeacon, Adazi-Ani Archdeaconry and vicar of the church, Venerable Chris Nkem-Okafor said the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ was the beginning of victory to mankind.
Nkem-Okafor called on Christians to quicken their willingness to follow Jesus and show humility in service as Christ did while riding on the horse to Jerusalem.
The services featured blessings, distribution of Holy Communion and special prayers for peace and unity of the nation Nigeria.
