BERHAMPUR: Thousands of devotees marched through the streets of Berhampur holding burning candles in their hands in honour of Mother Mary on November 27 evening. It marked the culmination of more than 150-years-old Candles’ Day festival, which was celebrated by the Christians at the Queen of the Mission cathedral in the city. Christian devotees from all over Orissa and parts of adjoining Andhra Pradesh attended this celebration. With lighted candles these devotees marched forward singing songs in praise of Mother Mary. An idol of Mother Mary was put on a decorated chariot. It seemed to be the Rathyatra of the Christians of Orissa as they dragged along the chariot. According to the Parish priest of Berhampur, Fr. Ajit Kumar Nayak this candles’ day festival is celebrated to commemorate the appearance of Mother Mary to Sister Catherine of France on Nov. 27, 1830. This festival is being celebrated in the Queen of the Mission Cathedral of the city since its inception in 1855. Many say this cathedral was the first Queen of the Mission Church established in India. The rituals of the celebration have their links to the rituals of churches in France. The nine-day long celebrations had started on Nov. 18. There were special prayers and discourses every day in the cathedral.
Source:The Hindu
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