Turkmenistan’s Catholics preparing for Christmas Festivities
Apostolic Nunciature in Turkmenistan is preparing for celebrations of Christmas with a lot lights and in communion with other Christians, reports AsiaNews, official press agency of the Roman Catholic Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions.
“Our capital, Ashgabat, is already full of lights", said Andrzej Madej, Oblate priest, Superior of the Missio sui iuris to Ashgabat.
Young people, churchgoers, have prepared the nativity scene, decorated with a lot of angels. Children will perform there a small show, to tell how Saint Francis made the first nativity scene in Greccio. "Every year, this artistic representation moves us", told Madej.
According to tradition, the church organized the visit of St.Nick or well known as Santa Claus, who distributed over 90 gifts for children.
The main festivities will start Sunday evening this week with dinner for community of Oblates. Later, it will be proceeded by Mass and after the Eucharist the participants will have fun with songs and dances.
Christmas celebrations will be a good opportunity for demonstrating ecumenism, which refers to efforts by Christians of different Church traditions to develop closer relationships and better understandings.
“Some of our families will celebrate a second time, on 6 and 7 January, with Eastern, Orthodox Christians. We celebrate ecumenically!", - stressed Medej.
The Catholic presence is officially recognized in Turkmenistan in 2010. Today community numbers nearly 200 believers and has three Priests.
The legislation of Turkmenistan guarantees the freedom of religion and religious organizations. In a country, which is a secular state, respects other religions, recognizing the importance of interfaith harmony and religious tolerance.
