The Gospel number, ‘I have decided to follow Jesus’, yesterday echoed through the streets of Suva as children marched through the city to commemorate Palm Sunday.

Children from Suva City churches took part in the event which was organised by the Wesley Circuit.

Circuit Superintendent Reverend Jeremaia Waqainabete said the march was an acknowledgement to show the significance of children in society.

The day was celebrated in various Christian denominations around the country commemorating the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem over 2000 years ago before his crucifixion.

“Palm Sunday is when Christ entered Jerusalem and it is also linked to Easter; it is also known as the triumphal entry and this a day where our young ones are given the chance to lead the church services throughout the day,” Reverend Waqainabete said.

“With the theme of this Palm Sunday, we believe that children are the light of the world and they can be nurtured to make this world a better place.

“That is why it is very important that children are taught moral values at grass root levels.

“This march also signifies that we are still optimistic that the world can be a better place and Christian denomination around the country can also work together to make Fiji a better place to live in; safe for our children and the next generation to come.”

Reverend Waqainabete said they also stood hand in hand with the family of the young girl who was brutally murdered in Deuba a few days ago.

“We stand with the family during this hard time as they mourn for the loss of their daughter and sister; we pray that God will give them peace and comfort during this hard time,” he said.

“Today we also remember the lives of our children who were lost during Tropical Cyclone Winston and those that were affected by the severe cyclone living them helpless.”

Meanwhile, Police chief operations officer, ACP Rusiate Tudravu said the day also brought significance for children within the Fiji Police Force family around the country.

“We believe our children are important in our lives and today they are also given the chance to lead the church services and share the word of God from the pulpit,” ACP Tudravu said.

“Nasova/NaseseMethodist Church also stands with children who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston; some of them at this time must be celebrating Palm Sunday in tents or in a church where roofs had been blown off by the cyclone.

“We believe that the family of the young girl that was brutally murdered in Navua is also going through a hard time for they had lost a daughter and sister; we stand with them as they mourn and we pray that God will bestow peace upon their family,” he said.

Columban Society Fiji regional director Father Donal McIlwraith said Palm Sunday was the day Jesus entered Jerusalem.

“This was prophesied by Zachariah; that the King will come on a donkey, this means that he is the King of Peace; for God’s word brings peace to the world,” Father McIlwraith said.

“Our heart goes out in anguish to the parents of the young girl who was brutally murdered last week in Deuba, and we ask the Lord to heal her parents’ pain and somehow help them to forgive those who brutalised their daughter and call on those who performed this dreadful act to repent.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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