Two grand processions mark finale of church feast in R. A. Puram

The community at Our Lady of Guidance Church, popularly known as St. Lazarus Church, led by its parish priest Fr. T. Anthony Raj and his assistant Fr. L. Anto Idhaya Jenish, celebrated the 443rd edition of the feast of their patron saint, saint Lazarus in a grand manner.

The celebration commenced with the hoisting of the flag on January 16.

Novena masses were held on all days.
The grand car procession took place on January 25 and 26.  On January 25, after the Mass, nine grandly decorated chariots with the statues of saints – Archangel Michael, Santiago,Sebastian, Francis Xavier, Roche, Anthony of Padua, Joseph, Lazarus and the Nakshatra Madha – were taken out in procession around the  local area streets.
People joined the procession in sections. A nadaswaram troupe led the procession along with altar boys and girls. Leo Band provided the music. It was almost midnight when the procession got back to the church.
On January 26 morning, after the English Mass, all the 9 statues went around the area in a procession.  The streets were decorated with colourful rangolis and kolams.
Stalls selling candles, flowers, snacks, toys, trinkets and household articles were put up outside the church, reminiscent of the old days when a flourishing, temporary market came up for the feast, to cater to pilgrims from across the city.
– By Juliana Sridhar
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