Unique and Covid-19 Themed Christmas Decorations at Bongsari Church Steal Ganjar Page’s Attention

SEMARANG, KOMPAS.com – In celebration of Christmas 2020, one of the churches in Jalan Purpowarno Raya, Bojongsalaman, Semarang City, used decorations with the theme of Covid-19.

The church is called Saint Theresia Bongsari Semarang Church.

In front of the church entrance, there is a unique Christmas tree decoration with a white statue installation holding another statue with a mask.

The priest of the church of Saint Theresia Bongsari, Father Eduardus Didik Cahyono, said that the installation represented a hope for humanity that was being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Christmas tree is always identified with a bright tree, a tree of hope. The meaning of this image is that the Divine embraces human suffering. Because the context is currently in a pandemic, this means how God saves the humanity of this disease, “Eduardus explained in the aforementioned statement. Friday (12/25/2020).

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As you enter the church hall there is also a decorative statue of a doctor and a patient who has been a carrier of the Covid-19 virus while kneeling to ask for help.

Meanwhile, next to it is a statue of Our Lady celebrating the birth of Jesus.

“This illustrates how doctors and patients with the Covid-19 virus kneel in front of the Savior to ask him for healing. That is why, in this Christmas celebration, we ask for the grace of the Savior’s healing and we ask that the pandemic be eliminated immediately,” he explained .

The decorations in the church also attracted the attention of the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, who was on tour to review the preparations for the Christmas celebrations in the city of Semarang on Thursday (12/24/2020).

“This is a good creation, so it can be a message to remind people that we are in a situation that is not easy, again there is a pandemic, let’s take care and take care to maintain our health,” said Ganjar.

With these creations, Christmas celebrations can be a reminder and a place of socializing for the public.

According to him, the church has an important role in taking preventive measures.

“Even in a Christmas setting you can show something like this, so everyone remembers that we are not done dealing with a pandemic. This is great,” Ganjar said.

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Ganjar visited several churches in the city of Semarang to verify preparations and ensure the implementation of health protocols.

Among them are Saint Athanasius Agung or Karangpanas Church in Jl Dr Wahidin, Holy Family Catholic Church in Jl Admodirono and Santo Stadium in Marina area.