In the excited atmosphere of preparing to celebrate the holiday, in recent days, parishes and religious communities in Ninh Binh have been actively preparing for the main ceremony. All the organizational work, from decorating churches and religious villages to erecting Christmas trees, is being completed. Churches and religious villages are all wearing a new, sparkling, brilliant coat, bringing a warm and colorful space.
Phat Diem Parish, Phat Diem Town, Kim Son District has 11 parishes with about 5,000 followers. For the people, Christmas is one of the most important occasions, so these days, Phat Diem Parish is urgently decorating and preparing the church, preparing cultural activities and hymns to welcome the holiday.
Mr. Mai Van Quy, Head of Phat Diem Cathedral Parish, said that this year, the Christmas tree is considered a highlight, making the Christmas atmosphere at Phat Diem Stone Church more solemn and brilliant, with the hope of bringing luck in the new year. Since mid-November, the parish has erected an iron frame to shape the tree with a height of 27m, a diameter of 11m, and 27 floors.
These days, the space at Phat Diem Stone Church seems to be wearing a new coat, sparkling with brilliant lights, creating a scene full of Christmas. In addition to decorating the church, activities serving Christmas are also carefully prepared. Each person has a job to complete the decoration early, serving tourists who come to visit, take pictures, learn about history and attend Christmas, and enjoy with the religious community.
Mr. Mai Cong Van, Head of Phuong Thuong Parish, said that the parishioners are completing the asphalt carpet project for the 3,000m2 area surrounding the parish church. This is also a major project to celebrate Christmas. On this year's Christmas, the parishioners will be able to pray, receive the Baby Jesus, play and enjoy the new, clean and beautiful area. Along with that, works such as making a nativity scene, making stars, creating miniatures, and practicing Christmas singing and dancing are also being urgently carried out.
In addition to the decoration preparations, the work of honoring the ceremony was carried out with many rehearsals for the artistic activities, the hymns were prepared by the choirs in advance. Catechism classes for children and adults were held regularly.
Kim Son district has more than 47% of the population being religious. The whole district currently has 33 parishes, 152 churches with about more than 80,000 followers. Christmas is an important occasion for people here to gather, meet, share life stories, and strengthen solidarity.
