Sunday Times 2
Kayts St. Anthony’s Church celebrates 200 years
View(s):Tracing its origins to 1820, St. Anthony’s Church, Kayts is one of the oldest churches in the Jaffna Peninsula and 2020 is its bicentennial year.
Having been damaged and abandoned during the hostilities in the North for many years, the church building underwent extensive renovations, thanks to the generous donations from community members in Colombo and many other parts of the world.
A grand celebration was planned for June 13, 2020 to coincide with St. Anthony’s feast with the participation of community members from aroud the globe. However, COVID-19 caused the festivities to be postponed to 2021. Undeterred by the turn of events, the community rallied together for a grand ceremonial blessing and reopening of the renovated church on August 16 with Holy Mass concelebrated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Gnanapragasam, Bishop of Jaffna and Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam, Emeritus Bishop of Jaffna together with Rev. Fr. David Manuelpillai, Head of the Island Deanery, Kayts Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Mac Mayooran and several other prominent members of the clergy.
The event was attended by a large number of community members from Colombo and residents of Kayts and the live television broadcast was viewed by parishoners around the world.
