Christian Unity Octave Celebrated in Tongana Parish, Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh, Assam, January 29, 2025: The Christian Unity Octave was observed in St. Dominic Savio Church in Tongana (under the Diocese of Dibrugarh), with a historic gathering on January 28, 2025. The event, held on the church grounds of the Palangline sub-station of the parish, brought together Christians from various denominations, including Roman Catholics, Gossner Evangelical Lutheran (GEL), Baptists, Anglicans, and the Church of North India (CNI). The program consisted of preaching, praying, and singing of devotional songs.

Fr. William Horo, the parish priest of Tongana Church, inaugurated the event by hoisting the Unity flag. In his address, he acknowledged the significance of the occasion, saying, "Although the Christian Unity Octave ended on January 25, today we are making history for ourselves in this place as Christians by observing a Christian Unity Prayer for the first time in nearly 60 years of our existence here."

Later, commenting on Martha’s faith in St. John’s Gospel, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God, the one coming into the world” (Jn. 11:27), Fr. Horo stated it as the foundation of Christian unity. He also prayed that as God the Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father, so all the Christians may be one in them. (Jn. 17: 21).

The gathering also featured remarks from Baptist pastor Samson Hassa and GEL Padri Umlong Bodra. Pastor Hassa encouraged the attendees to be spiritually prepared for the Last Judgement, saying, “As Jesus redeemed us with immense suffering, we cannot reach heaven without leaving our comfort zone.” He also urged the faithful to perform good works in order to have their names listed in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:12).

Padri Bodra, in his homily, urged the youth to dedicate their time and energy to studying the Bible, alongside their academic pursuits.

Around 500 people, including children, attended the event, which also saw the participation of other catechists and pastors, including Juel Dhanwar (RC), Rajesh Sanga (CNI), Zacharias Lakra (RC), Peter Ekka (Baptist), and Christopher Nag (GEL).

It must be noted that the Christian Unity Week was also celebrated in CNI church, Dibrugarh,, on January 25, the last day of the Christian Unity Octave under the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, Dibrugarh. It was led by Dibrugarh Inter Church Forum (DICF) president, Mr. Denis Bird. Mary Help of Christian Church, Jorhat, too had the Octave. 

By Fr. William Horo