Believers from various Christian denominations across the City of Kigali gathered on Thursday to mark Christmas Day through vibrant church services filled with worship, praise, and reflection.
The celebrations unfolded across several churches in the capital, capturing moments of devotion as congregants sang hymns, offered thanksgiving prayers, shared testimonies, and, in some churches, took part in Holy Communion.
Churches visited included Evangelical Restoration Church in Masoro, the Anglican Church at Giporoso Parish in Remera, Zion Temple Celebration Center in Gatenga, and St. Michel Church in Nyarugenge. In each location, worshippers expressed joy and gratitude as they commemorated the birth of Jesus Christ.
The New Times photographer Emmanuel Dushimimana captured highlights from the prayers.
Believers during a prayer at Zion Temple Celebration Centre Gatenga
Azaph Ministries singers lead a praise and worship session at Zion Temple Celebration Centre on Christmas. Emmanuel Dushimimana
At Zion Temple Celebration Centre in Gatenga, Apostle Paul Muhirwa Gitwaza prayed for families, youth, and children, urging believers to let Christ be "born in their hearts, homes, and work.”
Ambassador Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) was among believers who attended services at Zion Temple
At Zion Temple Celebration Centre, believers also shared Holy Communion during the Christmas services.
At Zion Temple Celebration Centre, believers also shared Holy Communion during the Christmas services.
Members of Zion Temple during Holy Communion
Asaph Ministries during a praise and worship session at Zion Temple Celebrations Ministries on Christmas. Photo by Emmanuel Dushimimana
At St Michel Cathedral
Cardinal Antoine Kambanda leads Holy Communion during a Christmas Mass at St Michel Cathedral, urging believers to reflect on their faith and personal lives. Photos by Emmanuel Dushimimana
Cardinal Kambanda during Holy Communion.
Journalist Oswald Mutuyeyezu
THE EVANGELICAL RESTORATION CHURCH MASORO
Apostle Yoshua Ndagijimana Masasu at the Evangelical Restoration Church in Masoro
Believers during Christmas church services at Evangelical Restoration Church Masoro. Photo by Emmanuel Dushimimana
Believers at the Evangelical Restoration Church Masoro
Believers during Christmas church services at Evangelical Restoration Church Masoro. Photo by Emmanuel Dushimimana