The village of Vaipae on Aitutaki yesterday rejoiced and celebrated their 200-year commemoration of “Te Arikianga o te Evangelia” to mark their historic acceptance of Christianity.

Around 500 people attended the events held throughout yesterday including the morning devotion, opening ceremony and the Uapou.

Aitutaki was the first of the Cook Islands to receive and accept the Gospel, when Christianity first arrived to the island on October 26, 1821, introduced by the London Missionary Society (LMS).

Vaipae was the last village on the island to accept Christianity – two years later on March 30, 1823.

Today, the morning service will be held at the Vaipae CICC Church, lunch will be hosted on one of the Motu and the string band event will be held tonight

The week-long programme for the Bicentennial will run until Sunday, April 2. Daily posts and live coverage can be viewed on the “Vaipae Pae O Pau Bicentennial Celebration 2023” Facebook page.