Fathers in Savai'i packed church services throughout the nation on Sunday where they were acknowledged and thanked for their roles in raising children and families.

Although father’s day is not as elaborate as that of mothers and children in Samoa, church services were dedicated to them across the country.

The message from the pulpit was for them to value their calling as leaders in families. They were also reminded about the love of God and how fathers ought to love their wives and families as God loved the church.

In some churches, fathers were treated to special dinners and breakfast before the Sunday gatherings.

Men were given the opportunity to lead worship services as well as deliver the word of God for their congregations.

This father’s day will be remembered for the S.O.E. orders which sees small shops closed until 3pm.

But that wasn’t an issue for many families who had made preparations for Sunday feast ahead of time.

Many other families took advantaged of discounted rates offered by local hotels to take fathers out for Sunday lunch before spending the night there with Monday being a national public holiday.