Thiruvananthapuram:
Thousands of devotees congregated for holy prayers as Christians across the state today celebrated Easter to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ after Crucifixion.
Faithful attended special prayers in the churches in the wee hours ending the Holy Week which marked prayers and penance. Senior bishops and priests led the Easter mass in the churches and gave out the Easter message of hope and spiritual revival. Cardinal George Alaencherry led the prayers at St Mary's Basilica, the headquarters of Syro Malabar Catholic Church in Kochi.
In capital Thiruvanathapuram, Archbishop M Soosai Packiam presided over the mass at St Joseph's cathedral of Latin Catholic rite.
Breaking the 40-day season of Lent when believers shun worldly pleasures, sumptuous traditional feasts were arranged in most Christian homes.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and leaders of various political parties also greeted the Keralites on the occasion.
Christians constitute about 23 per cent of Kerala's population and are mainly concentrated in the central districts of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Trissur.