Aurangabad, Dec 25:
Christian community members across the city today celebrated Christmas amidst Covid-19 pandemic. Cribs and Christmas were seen glowing across the city. However, this year due to the pandemic, celebrations across the churches had been cut short. Only fifty people were admitted to the church for 40-minute mass in phases. The churches were being sanitized after each prayer.
Rev Ranjan Rathore and Rev S S Battise offered prayers in Christ Church. Rev Sushil Ghule, Rev Vilas Nade, Rev Akshay Ghule and Rev Anant Khandagale prayed at St Philip''s Church. Rev Vipul Battise at Holy Trinity Church, Rev Dr C N Athwale at St Stephen''s Church Cidco, Rev Bishop Ambrose Rebello, vicar general of Aurangabad, Father Benny Calicut and Rev Father Pradeep Kumar led the prayers and Mass at St Francis de Sales Cathedral.
Among the churches in the rural areas of Marathwada Dharmaprant, Rev R V Dive offered prayers at Waluj Church, Rev R P Ghule, Missionary Vijay Sable, Suhas Kangare, Ashabai Sable, Rev Rajendra Dive at Sion Church, Bajajnagar, Rev R P Ghule prayed at Christ Church Dhorkin, Vashi, Rev Vilas V Nade at Gevrai Dhakephal, Adul and Kachner. Rev Bhushan Ranade offered prayers at Jerusalem Church Lasur Station and Rev Moses L at Ebenezer Church Kannad. Rev Akshay S Ghule at Wadagale, Wahegaon and Saigaon, Rev Anant Khandagale at Good Shepherd Church, Chikalthana, Rev Deepak Shinde at Dhakephal, Jayakwadi and Rahatgaon. Rev Sudhakar Kamble at Pandharohol, Wazir and Ambelohol and Rev Samuel Nikalje prayed at Bidkin.