From the flame of the Feast of the Resurrection

Celebrations marking the Feast of the Resurrection this year have several new significances. These are the message that we grasp from these glorious days in order to have greater spiritual experience of the Feast of the Resurrection that we mark every year. Yet this year, it reflects new significances.

The first message is that this Feast of the Resurrection is the first after two feasts that were marked by exceptional circumstances for humanity both locally and globally. Corona conditions in 2020 were harsh on people, and the Holy Week was marked in homes during which prayers were live-streamed via social media or television channels. Consequently, people marked the feast by praying in their homes during the imposed lockdown. This forced priests to hold Holy Masses at different times so as to enable people to come to church while considering social distancing which was imposed in addition to nocturnal lockdowns.

In this year, 2022, we are glad for celebrating the feast in more open circumstances with the hope of a complete recovery of humanity from the pandemic. The churches were full of worshipers, and several churches needed to install huge screens in halls next to the churches in order to enable people pray, even by following prayers displayed on screens. We thank the Almighty Lord for the blessing of healing, and we really plead with Him to help eliminate this pandemic forever.

The second lesson is that during this feast children came to churches for the first time, because they had been “forbidden” from coming in the previous two years. These are the children who have the first view of churches and of these wonderful rites which include hymns, prayers that people await one year after year. Children have a right to education and good upbringing. This is not confined to schools as there is also a spiritual dimension, or religious education for children. We encourage families to pay great attention to this matter by building up children's personalities in order to let them grow up with sound religious education as well as to love coming to church especially during the festive periods.

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Thirdly, in this year, prayers have been lifted up for several issues, the first of which is thanking the Almighty God for the recovery of His Majesty King Abdullah Ibn Al Hussein and his safe return home. Good Friday prayers were lifted up for His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, as well as for all the Jordanian authorities and politicians worldwide so that the Lord would provide them with wisdom and courage to lead their peoples to the shores of safety and prosperity.

Fourthly, we prayed this year for peace and also for ending of wars, especially between Russia and Ukraine. Why are we concerned about this? We are concerned because it is a humanitarian affair, because there are people being displaced, and because millions of people including many families with the elderly, women, and children fled to neighboring countries in search of security and stability. On Good Friday, a Jordanian family that was displaced from Ukraine due to the ongoing war arrived at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. We prayed with the family for peace and tranquility, and for the restoration of the status quo ante.  Greetings are conveyed to the family of Ibrahim Halaseh, his wife Irina, as well as their children Gloria and Alexander.

The fifth message is an appreciation to all the propitious efforts exerted  at the gates of churches during the feasts particularly during celebrations marking Christmas and the glorious Feast of the Resurrection as the security apparatuses are located sometimes during breaking the fasting marked during the month of Ramadan and sometimes during prayer time. But this does not obviate conducting their security duties to the fullest with love and sincerity. National concern always prevails in our noble security apparatuses members who care for the safety of the homeland and the citizens. Best wishes to our Muslim brethren who mark the last 10 days of Ramadan. And best wishes to the Christians who celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection.