Online Reporter
Herald Reporters
THOUSANDS of Christians countrywide yesterday gathered at places of worship to mark Easter Sunday, the centre of the four-day holiday period hinged on the biblical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is one of the most significant Christian holidays on the calendar.
It commemorates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who showed Himself alive on the third day after being buried in a tomb after his crucifixion.
Easter Sunday is central to Christian faith as it symbolises victory over death and the promise of eternal life. It signifies Jesus’ victory over death, confirming His identity as the Son of God and offering hope for eternal life.
Yesterday, the celebrations, characterised by choral music and Holy Communion services, saw major denominations using the platform to address the country’s escalating drug and substance abuse, alongside traditional theological teachings.
At Friendship High School in Hatcliffe, the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe hosted a massive “cluster” gathering that brought together the Trinity, Mt Pleasant and Hatcliffe circuits, drawing a crowd that swelled to 2 000 during the Good Friday services.
In an interview, Superintendent of the MCZ Trinity Circuit, Reverend Nkulumo Zhira, said the church intentionally integrated social commentary into the spiritual programme.
“When we celebrate Easter, we will be celebrating salvation,” Rev Zhira said. “You can’t talk of salvation when we are not yet free from drug and substance abuse. That is why we chose to focus on (it) so that we can celebrate our salvation.”
The Methodist services began on Thursday with the traditional foot-washing ceremony and culminated in a resurrection service early Sunday morning.
“Our Thursday service began at 4pm with foot washing, followed by the Last Supper and Holy Communion. Friday morning featured learning sessions, ending with a well-attended Seven Last Words service. Our four-day series of services culminated this morning with the Resurrection Sunday service. Beginning in the early hours, the programme concluded at approximately 10am with Holy Communion, allowing the congregation to depart for their various destinations.”
A congregant, Ms Ashly Kufakunesu, described the sessions as a wake-up call, labelling drug abuse as the new devil threatening the youth.
“The services featured approximately 15 ministers from the three circuits. These sessions were highly influential, as guest speakers shared their success stories and provided guidance on addressing the growing issues of drug and substance abuse among young people,” she said.
At the Kingdom Prosperity Ministries in Harare, Apostle Farai Chipoyera said partaking in the Holy Communion, almost daily, even at home, was critical in the life of a Christian, adding that the blood of Jesus protects and sanctifies believers.
She underscored her point by reading from John 6 verse 48 to 58, where verses 54 and 55, say, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.”
Earlier on, KPM leader Apostle Rodney Chipoyera had said, “Jesus is a picture of humility, whom everyone must follow.
The Methodist services began on Thursday with the traditional foot-washing ceremony and culminated in a resurrection service early Sunday morning.
“When God looks for someone to use, he doesn’t use those who are perfect. He wants those that the community can easily condemn,” he said, adding that Jesus does not write off people, but fixes anything broken in their lives, like marriages.
Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in the CBD, recorded high turnouts for their resurrection services to mark the occasion.
Major Pentecostal ministries, including the United Family International Church, Goodness and Mercy Ministries and Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, also held “Big Sunday” services yesterday after hosting a series of evening revival meetings throughout the week.
Mugodhi Apostolic Faith congregants are gathered in Hwedza until April 15, while the Bethsaida Apostolic Faith church will be at Chiwiriri in Njanja.
A common message delivered during these gatherings was a warning against the “Judas Iscariot” spirit of rebellion among people.
Reverend Obadiah Musindo of Destiny for Afrika Network said: “Easter holiday has come and gone for this year, but the main message — alongside forgiveness of sins through the crucifixion — is about doing away with the spirit of rebellion. “It is about the spirit of Judas Iscariot, who sold the Son of God for money, and today this spirit is destroying families, organisations, nations and even governments.”
Apostle Stephen Mangwanya of New United Apostolic Faith Church weighed in, saying: “The spirit of rebellion is like the spirit of divination, the spirit of witchcraft.”
Apostle Mangwanya said they were also partaking in Holy Communion, where the focus was preaching forgiveness, peace, unity, healing and prosperity.
“When Jesus Christ said, ‘It is finished’ at the Cross, He was speaking about total deliverance and grace for everyone who believes in the resurrected Son of God,” he said.
“Apart from the dates of commemoration, what matters is the purpose of the meeting and the message being shared. That message is the bread of life we break in unity and power, understanding the power and mystery of the cross.”
Apostle Benjamin Joseph Murata of New Life Pentecostal Church said the correct interpretation of the word of life is found in its application, urging people to respect the sanctity of life.
“As a church, we are saddened by road accidents caused by human error,” he said. “Jesus Christ died for everyone — including those who do not yet believe. Let us respect every human being and preserve life. This means valuing people on roads, in homes, on streets and also victims of drugs and abuse. The way we treat one another shows love and forgiveness. Let us join hands in fighting drugs and substance abuse, because by doing so we are truly reading and interpreting the word of life correctly.”
In Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb, the apostolic sect led by Emmanuel Mutumwa of Johannes Masowe WeChishanu marked Easter through an extended church camp that began on Thursday, transforming the area into a place of fellowship, prayer and reflection as worshippers gathered under canvas and open skies.
“Easter is the foundation of Christianity and gives us an opportunity to reflect on our behaviour and the way we live our lives against the price that was paid for our redemption through Jesus Christ. We have been camped here in Cowdray Park to celebrate the Easter holidays together with the rest of Zimbabwe,” said Prophet Mutumwa.
In Lobengula Extension, Easter carried an added layer of significance for members of the Apostolic Faith Mission of Africa, as the season coincided closely with the church’s milestone anniversary celebrations, amplifying the sense of gratitude and continuity within the congregation.
“Easter is a time of reflection, prayer and unity. Our celebrations included revival services, fasting and regional camp meetings.
“This year is also significant as we celebrate 71 years since the founding of our church in April 1955 by the late Morgan Sengwayo,” said Reverend Ndlalifa Ncube, the pastor in charge of the church’s headquarters.
While the majority of the population observed the day through religious liturgy, leisure spots across the country were also packed, with thousands of Zimbabweans spending the public holiday at social gatherings and braai spots, especially after services in churches ended.
