Parishes of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa around the country celebrated 191 years of the arrival of Christianity, commonly known as the "Aso Sa o le Talalelei".

The occasion on Sunday was the commemoration of 191 years since the arrival of Christianity in Samoa through the London Missionary Society (L.M.S.) on a ship called the "Messenger of Peace" in 1830. 

The event was marked 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. 

Reverend Elder Fili Matalavae of the C.C.C.S Malua East District spoke of the importance of the occasion in an interview with the Samoa Observer on Sunday.

"This is the most important Sunday in our country," Rev. Elder Matalavea said. "John William and others arrived when the country was in a civil war, especially during that time when there was a civil war between the districts but once Christianity arrived, then that is when it started to stop. 

"Why? Civil wars were stopped with the arrival of Christianity and the acceptance of Christian beliefs and the name of Jesus, accepted by Malietoa which also marked the end of ancient and unchristian-like behaviours."

The C.C.C.S Malua East District involves the Faleula, Malie, Afega, Tuanai, and Leauvaa parishes

Rev. Elder Matalavea said that this Sunday celebrates the arrival of Christianity as the light was brought to Samoa.

Aside from Christianity putting a stop to some ancient Samoan cultural practices, it also led to the study and training of theologians in the country with Samoans becoming missionaries to spread the gospel around the Pacific.

"To Tahiti, to Fiji and moving on to Tonga and other countries especially Papua New Guinea," he said.

Rev. Elder Matalavea explained that many Samoans who travelled abroad as missionaries passed away there, such as John Williams who was killed in Erromango, New Hebrides (present-day Vanuatu), and his remains were brought back and buried in Apia where the John Williams Memorial stone is now located.

The memorial stone, according to Rev. Elder Matalavea, marks the good work of John Williams in bringing Christianity to Samoa.

The celebration always brings together parishes of each synod to combine donations which could exceed $50,000 per parish. 

Rev. Elder Matalavea said 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 parts of the world.  

"The importance of doing offering [Taulaga] is that offerings were given to missionaries spreading the word of the Lord in the Pacific," he said.

"This is the most important Sunday to all of Samoa.

This is still done to this day for the parish and for the work of the church, according to Rev. Elder Matalavea. 

Rev. Elder Matalavea thanks to the arrival of Christianity in Samoa, ancient and unchristian-like behaviours were stopped with the nation embracing the word of the lord.

Christianity arrived in the country nearly 200 years ago and Rev. Elder Matalavea emphasised that there has been changes over the years.

"There are a lot of changes," he said. "I am thankful that the work of our ancestors is now fruitful, in spreading Christianity in Samoa and the Pacific.

"The change right now is that people are not taking Christianity seriously especially the Sunday services. We have seen that some Sundays they don't go to church."

However, challenges remain to this day, said Rev. Elder Matalavea, and he pointed to the fact that a lot of people tend to take a break on Sundays in hotels and various other areas in the country.

"It is important to go to church on this Sunday and every Sunday to give thanks to the Lord," Rev. Elder Matalavea said. "Just one day, and then you can go do your work on usual weekdays."

He emphasised that it is not like many years ago when a lot of people would go to church to give thanks to God for the strength he has given them.