By Purushottam Nayak
Pirigoda, April 30, 2024: The Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar has honored a python-attack survivor who completed 44 years making hundreds know Christ in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
Around 75 people, including priests and nuns, on April 29 attended a Mass to give God thanks for Khristodas Behera at Pirigoda village under Our Lady of Charity Parish, Raikia, in Kandhamal district.
“Khristodas has courageously helped people to encounter Jesus. His committed efforts have kept people remain with the Lord,” said Pradosh Chandra Nayak, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar who presided over the Mass.
Khristodas says it was Jesus who had saved him from a python that tried to swallow him when he was five.
He narrated the incident.
“I had gone to play near a jungle and was sitting on the grass close to a thick bush. I did not see the big snake before it started swallowing me from my leg. I was frightened and shouted. The snake was able to swallow up to my waist. I hit its eyes, shouting for life. People came immediately and pulled me from the snake’s mouth.”
About his inspiration to become a catechist, he thanks Father Sudhir Nayak from Pirigoda for helping him encounter Christ in catechism.
Khristodas was born on July 1, 1959, as the only child of Budhia and Surubuli at Sandakupa under Miraculous Medal Parish Mondasoro.
After losing his parents in childhood, he studied at St Vincent Orphanage Mondasoro. He moved to Suruda, Ganjam, for further study in 1973 and passed eleventh grade three years later.
He came to Pirigoda in 1980 to serve as a catechist. Three years later, he married Philomina, a resident of the Hindu-dominated village. Catholic families there grew from two to 25 now.
Khristodas said he was inspired by Pope Francis who described catechists as people who keep the memory of God alive and are able to revive it in others.
St. Joseph of Annecy Sister Petronila Nayak, who was present on the occasion, said Khristodas catechizes both by word and example. “He nurtures a living, conscious and active faith in the youth and children and helps people to become better following Jesus,” said the nun, who has completed 40 year in her congregation.
Khristodas leads prayer and preaches on every Sunday. He daily teaches the catechism to children and visits the families.
When he started his salary was 35 rupees a month. Now, he gets 400 rupees.
“I am proud of my husband. The old age has not affected his honesty, sincerity, simplicity in the ministry,” said his wife, Philomina.
Father Manoj Kumar Bagsingh, secretary to Commission for Catechetics in the archdiocese, commended Khristodas for being regular in all the pastoral activities.
“He is one of the dedicated and committed persons among 400 catechists in the archdiocese,” he added.