By SAM PHIRI,  JULIUS PHIRI and  YVONNE CHATE  –
SCORES of Christians from different denominations turned out to commemorate Palm Sunday in various parts of the country.
In Lusaka, people braved the rain to celebrate Palm Sunday with a call to uphold integrity, unity and love.

. Rev Matale

Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) Secretary General Suzanne Matale who walked from Kamwala Reformed Church in Zambia to Kabwata’s African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) called on the nation to uphold integrity and love as illustrated by Jesus Christ if the country was
to record positives in all areas.
Rev Matale said the same unity and commitment shown by thousands of Christians during the walk enduring bad weather should be expended to the political and social fronts.
“Yes we can be faced with various challenges as a country but if we hold hands and uphold our integrity, of being sincere, a lot of various vices will be avoided and get that special favour from God,” she said.
Visiting Bishop Paul Kawimbe of AMEC 19th District in South Africa who gave a sermon at Bethel Church said Zambia was blessed to have a democratically elected Government and that Christians should help run the country’s affairs through constructive criticism.
“As Christians, be in the forefront in respecting and helping elected leadership so that we can maintain the unity peace and love in our country,” he said.
Dr Kawimbe said Zambia was rated one of the top 10 safest tourist destinations in the world and that it took sound leadership and high Christian values to attain the status.
Meanwhile, Christians from different churches in Chipata yesterday celebrated Palm Sunday lly with marching, song and bible reading.
The Catholic, United Church of Zambia, Reformed Church in Zambia and Presbyterian Church of Zambia gathered on Kalindawalo road and walked through Mchini Township to celebrate the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
Saint Atanazio Catholic Parish Priest Victor Banda said people should stand firm in the face of persecution.
“This was the character of Jesus who due to his humbleness served mankind,” he said.
In Ndola, Catholic Church Bishop Alick Banda said Palm Sunday was celebrated as the mystery of Christian salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection.
He said the actual lifting of the palm tree represented the victory that Christians have through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Different people participated in the Palm Sunday match past at the Ndola Diocese with the Chifubu and Ndeke consistories notable among the churches who took part in the event.