Jerusalem experienced an early Easter miracle this week – the rebirth of religious gatherings, thanks to an aggressive vaccination that led to a sharp decline in COVID cases.
Thousands filled the streets in the Christian Quarter of the Old City for the Way of the Cross on Good Friday, where worshipers followed the last steps of Jesus before his crucifixion.
Masked crowds were seen shoulder-to-shoulder as men dragged a replica cross through the narrow corridors.
“We feel more hopeful that things will get better,” said Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa. “The message of Easter is life and love, despite all the signs of death, corona, pandemic, whatever, we believe in the power of love and life.”
Easter church services were canceled last year in Jerusalem and in many parts of the world at the start of the pandemic.
There is again a sense of normalcy in Israel, where more than half of the population has been vaccinated.
Yet there are capacity constraints for indoor Easter services, masks are needed and foreigners still need special permission to enter the country, which hinders tourism.
“It still feels like it’s not normal,” said Hagop Karakashian, owner of a famous old town ceramic shop. ‘The locals can celebrate, yes. But something is still missing. ”
With Post Wires