02:52Thousands of people gathered to celebrate Christmas at the All Saints’ Cathedral, also known as the Church of Stones or Pathar Church Civil Line, in the city of Prayagraj in northern India.
The footage shows families with children lighting candles and praying, with some dressed in traditional Christmas attire. The cathedral was illuminated and adorned with colourful garlands.
"Today is Christmas day, so we have come to Pathar Church Civil Line to visit <…> now here we will light candles and pray," said Manoj Kumar, one local.
"We have come to the stone church to celebrate and pray on Christmas Day. It feels very good to be here," shared Madhuri Kumari, another local.
Despite the authorities recommending precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus due to an increase in infections, many still chose to attend.
"COVID is increasing, distance is important, but it is also a festival and it is important to accept it," Kumari commented.
Local media reported that the authorities warned of an increase in COVID-19 cases over Christmas and New Year's Eve, and advised citizens to 'mask up' in light of the recent spike in infections.
'We'll light candles and pray' - Thousands gather at Prayagraj's All Saints' Cathedral for Christmas in India
Thousands of people gathered to celebrate Christmas at the All Saints’ Cathedral, also known as the Church of Stones or Pathar Church Civil Line, in the city of Prayagraj in northern India.
The footage shows families with children lighting candles and praying, with some dressed in traditional Christmas attire. The cathedral was illuminated and adorned with colourful garlands.
"Today is Christmas day, so we have come to Pathar Church Civil Line to visit <…> now here we will light candles and pray," said Manoj Kumar, one local.
"We have come to the stone church to celebrate and pray on Christmas Day. It feels very good to be here," shared Madhuri Kumari, another local.
Despite the authorities recommending precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus due to an increase in infections, many still chose to attend.
"COVID is increasing, distance is important, but it is also a festival and it is important to accept it," Kumari commented.
Local media reported that the authorities warned of an increase in COVID-19 cases over Christmas and New Year's Eve, and advised citizens to 'mask up' in light of the recent spike in infections.
Thousands of people gathered to celebrate Christmas at the All Saints’ Cathedral, also known as the Church of Stones or Pathar Church Civil Line, in the city of Prayagraj in northern India.
The footage shows families with children lighting candles and praying, with some dressed in traditional Christmas attire. The cathedral was illuminated and adorned with colourful garlands.
"Today is Christmas day, so we have come to Pathar Church Civil Line to visit <…> now here we will light candles and pray," said Manoj Kumar, one local.
"We have come to the stone church to celebrate and pray on Christmas Day. It feels very good to be here," shared Madhuri Kumari, another local.
Despite the authorities recommending precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus due to an increase in infections, many still chose to attend.
"COVID is increasing, distance is important, but it is also a festival and it is important to accept it," Kumari commented.
Local media reported that the authorities warned of an increase in COVID-19 cases over Christmas and New Year's Eve, and advised citizens to 'mask up' in light of the recent spike in infections.