Closed churches, loudspeaker sermons mark Good Friday in Mizoram amid COVID-19 outbreak

Aizawl, April 10 () Churches were shut and solemnprayer services suspended across Mizoram on Good Friday, asight that is unimaginable in the Christian-dominated statebut made necessary due to the nationwide lockdown to rein inthe COVID-19 pandemic.

Major churches, including the Mizoram PresbyterianChurch, the Baptist Church of Mizoram and the Salvation Armybroadcast live programmes on TV channels.

In some localities, Good Friday sermons were deliveredthrough loudspeakers.

By and large, people held Good Friday masses, sunghymns and offered prayers at their homes.

The occasion is usually celebrated with much fervouracross the state -- apart from church services, congregationalservices called 'Zaikhawm' and community feasts are anintegral part of Good Friday.

In ordinary times, tens of thousands of pilgrims fromaround the world retrace Jesus' steps in the Holy Week leadingup to Easter. CORRRBT RBT