— Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton
EASTER is the most sacred season on the Christian calendar. It is preceded by Lent, which is a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, self-examination and repentance as we reflect on the themes of suffering, sacrifice, redemption from sin and spiritual renewal.

It is the culmination of the Holy Week, or for some, Passion Week, when believers recall the events that unfolded after Christ rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, suffered persecution and was tried and crucified on Good Friday.

This weekend, all across the nation, Guyanese will come together to celebrate Easter — to observe the death, burial and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter and its observances have become a unique and colourful part of Guyanese traditions.

The celebration of Easter is a show of our diversity and cohesiveness as a nation. It is a time when Guyanese from every walk of life come together to observe this occasion through family gatherings, church services and kite flying.

As we celebrate this Easter, I urge you to reflect on the lessons of the season and allow those lessons to transcend into your daily lives as a guide to fostering a spirit of hope, unity, respect, brotherhood and agape love preached by Christ, who is alive and well in this ‘Land of many waters’.

As Minister of Social Cohesion, I pray that we will all know the love, forgiveness, grace and power of God as we experience his risen presence in our lives.

Happy Easter to all Guyanese, those at home and in the Diaspora!