Parishes across Samoa's largest religious denomination will be celebrating a historic anniversary today - the arrival of Christianity to the country's shores. 

The occasion is the commemoration of 191 years since the arrival of Christianity in Samoa- that was brought by the London Missionary Society (L.M.S.) on the "Messenger of Peace" vessel in 1830. 

The event will be commemorated together by the different Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) parishes in Samoa and abroad with the communion for the month of September. 

Referred to as the "Aso Sa o le Talalelei", the landmark will be celebrated in a unique way all around Samoa. 

It is one of the most special Sundays in the C.C.C.S.'s calendar every year. 

The celebration always brings together parishes of each synod to combine donations which could exceed $50,000 per parish. These donations or offerings which are called "Taulaga o le Talalelei" will go towards assisting Ministers and servants of the C.C.C.S. serving in other countries and parts of the world. 

Nevertheless, it will help sponsor those who serve in the remote areas of the world and scholarship students of the church. 

The different choirs from each congregation always prepare a song or praises for the combined services. 

The day also offers the church the opportunity to reflect back to how far the church and Christianity has grown since its arrival on the shores of Samoa. 

This year, the C.C.C.S. parishes will read from Galatians 1: 1-10 on the theme- "Not happy."

On August 24, the C.C.C.S. at Sapapali'i in Savai'i hosted their own annual anniversary service to mark the historical day.

Sapapalii, which is often referred to as the home of Christianity in Samoa, is where John Williams of the London Missionary Society and his team were welcomed into Samoa by forefathers of the village, whom accepted Christianity in Samoa. 

Last year, because of state of emergency orders designed to prevent the risk of  the COVID-19 virus spreading across Samoa,, the churches were encouraged to ensure social distancing inside their sanctuaries.

They were required to adapt their services accordingly: at combined services, but only a few members from each congregation were allowed to attend. 

However, this year, it is likely that it will be a normal celebration for all the C.C.C.S. believers to gather and commemorate this historical day.