Kanjoor church fest begins

ALUVA: The four-day festival of St Sebastian began at the Catholic pilgrimage centre of  St Mary’s Forane Church at Kanjoor near here.Vicar Fr. Sebastian Kalapurackal hoisted the festival flag on Tuesday evening. The devotees believe that St. Sebastian alias Kanjoor Punyalan, with his divine powers, would save them from all problems of life. Lakhs of pilgrims from different parts of the country throng Kanjoor to attend the festival and get the saint’s blessing. The spiritual processions in connection with the festival are unique when hundreds of ornamental umbrellas and gold crosses are being  carried by the devotees. Pyrotechnics is a rare event to watch. Illumination of the church is another attraction.The main offering of the festival is carrying ‘ambu’ , the blessed arrrow . The main festival will conclude on Friday. The octave will be celebrated on January 26 and 27.