Kerala marks Christmas with prayers, voices concern over attacks

Kerala celebrated Christmas with joy and solemn prayers on Thursday, December 25, 2025; Large gatherings of worshipers were seen in churches across the state.

Special prayers started on Wednesday evening and ended with midnight services. This event, one of the most important days in the Christian calendar, saw thousands of faithful attend services held in churches across the state.

Raphael Thattil, head of the Syro-Malabar Church, led the Christmas prayers at St Thomas Mountain in Kakkanad, Kochi.

Addressing the faithful, Thattil said that life will bring many difficulties, but people should find strength by turning to Christ, who was born in a humble manger. He said faith gives him the courage to overcome difficulties.

He added that Christmas opens new doors of hope and possibility and that the festival should inspire people to move forward with renewed faith, guided by the light of the Christmas star.

But the celebrations were held at a time of growing concern over reports of attacks on Christians and Christmas events in different parts of the country. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Archbishop of the Malankara Catholic Church, described the alleged situation in which believers are being forced to live in fear in many regions as extremely serious.

He reminds people that Christmas is a day of hope and joy, and said believers should be able to celebrate freely without fear.

He also emphasized that deliberate attempts have been made to diminish the importance of Christmas, but the message of Jesus can never be erased from the land.

He called for peace, urging people to pray for those spreading hatred and urging those in power to govern with justice and responsibility.