Easter in the time of coronavirus: Empty churches, unused communion hosts reflect a world where prayer has gone online
4 years, 8 months ago

Easter in the time of coronavirus: Empty churches, unused communion hosts reflect a world where prayer has gone online

Firstpost  

As countries around the world starting urging people to stay at home amid the coronavirus outbreak, and India announced its 21-day lockdown, priests and other clergy had to suddenly befriend that familiar beast, technology, ahead of Easter. As a child, it meant summer holidays, no school or homework, days spent at either of my grandparents’ homes, eating and playing, the onset of mango season, a birthday celebration and of course, Easter. Though Easter Mass is typically held at midnight, or early evening in cities that have sound restrictions, Holy Week services happen during the day – early afternoon and evening. I would rush to attend Holy Week services from work and then rush back to work – media folk don’t have the luxury of long weekends.

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History of this topic

Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Mass and appeal for peace in Gaza and Ukraine
9 months, 1 week ago

Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Mass and appeal for peace in Gaza and Ukraine

Associated Press  

ROME — Pope Francis rallied from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems to lead some 60,000 people in Easter celebrations Sunday, making a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print This year, Francis said his thoughts went particularly to …

Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square
9 months, 1 week ago

Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square

LA Times  

Rallying from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems, Pope Francis led some 60,000 people in Easter celebrations Sunday and made a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St. Peter’s Square and then delivered a heartfelt prayer for peace in his annual roundup …

Black pastors see popular Easter services as an opportunity to rebuild in-person worship attendance
9 months, 1 week ago

Black pastors see popular Easter services as an opportunity to rebuild in-person worship attendance

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many churches moved their services online, the Rev. “I resisted kicking and screaming because I’m a child of the ’70s,” said Lamar, the senior pastor of historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. “I’m not a digital native.” Four years later, Lamar, a talented preacher, has adjusted to …

After skipping Good Friday procession, Pope Francis returns to public eye
1 year, 9 months ago

After skipping Good Friday procession, Pope Francis returns to public eye

Hindustan Times  

Pope Francis returned to public view on Saturday, presiding over Easter vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, a day after unseasonably chilly weather in Rome convinced the recently ailing pontiff to skip Good Friday's nighttime procession at the Colosseum. Pope Francis leads the Easter Vigil mass on April 8, 2023 at St. Peter's basilica in The Vatican, as part of …

City celebrates Easter on a joyous note today
1 year, 9 months ago

City celebrates Easter on a joyous note today

Deccan Chronicle  

HYDERABAD: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated by the faithful with ‘He has risen’ greetings. Churches all over will hold vigil and sunrise services, to mark Easter Sunday. Raju Alex said “Anthony Poola will be serving Easter vigil service at St Mary’s basilica, Secunderabad. After 40 days of fasting, now they will be getting back to regular practice after …

In pictures | Easter Sunday amid the Coronavirus pandemic
4 years, 8 months ago

In pictures | Easter Sunday amid the Coronavirus pandemic

The Hindu  

Pope Francis presides over a solemn Easter vigil ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica, empty of the faithful, following Italy’s ban on gatherings to contain coronavirus contagion, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 11, 2020. A church worker prepares for Easter service at St. Anthony's church, one of the sites attacked during last year's Easter bombings, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April …

In pictures | Easter Sunday amid the Coronavirus pandemic
4 years, 8 months ago

In pictures | Easter Sunday amid the Coronavirus pandemic

The Hindu  

Pope Francis presides over a solemn Easter vigil ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica, empty of the faithful, following Italy’s ban on gatherings to contain coronavirus contagion, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 11, 2020. A church worker prepares for Easter service at St. Anthony's church, one of the sites attacked during last year's Easter bombings, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April …

‘It doesn’t really feel like Easter.’ For black churches, coronavirus changed everything
4 years, 8 months ago

‘It doesn’t really feel like Easter.’ For black churches, coronavirus changed everything

LA Times  

In times of crisis, First African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Los Angeles is known for springing into action — a reflex embodied in its motto, “First to Serve.” It provided shelter during the 1992 riots. “Right now, it might feel like black leadership is not present, but we are.” :: Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer in the Tabernacle at Faithful …

Pope Francis uses Easter service to call for global solidarity in fight against coronavirus
4 years, 8 months ago

Pope Francis uses Easter service to call for global solidarity in fight against coronavirus

ABC  

Pope Francis has called for global solidarity in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout, urging the relaxation of international sanctions, debt relief for poor nations and ceasefires in all conflicts. Key points: Pope Francis warned the European Union it could face collapse if it doesn't have a unified response to rebuilding after the coronavirus pandemic The Pope called …

The changing face of religious traditions this Easter under the pall of coronavirus
4 years, 8 months ago

The changing face of religious traditions this Easter under the pall of coronavirus

ABC  

As Christians celebrate the Easter weekend via streaming services from empty churches, many other faiths are also having to change their religious celebration. "Trying to do our Easter ceremonies with less than 10 people is, in itself, a new art to be learned and it's really not easy as they are rich and complex services," he said. Smaller but important …

In a test of faith, Christians mark Good Friday in isolation
4 years, 9 months ago

In a test of faith, Christians mark Good Friday in isolation

The Hindu  

Christians are commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion without the solemn church services or emotional processions of past years, marking Good Friday in a world locked down by the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of presiding over the Way of the Cross procession, Pope Francis will lead a Good Friday ceremony in St. Peter’s Square without the public. Ten people — five from the Vatican’s …

Pope Francis opens Holy Week amid pandemic; says now is the time to serve
4 years, 9 months ago

Pope Francis opens Holy Week amid pandemic; says now is the time to serve

The Hindu  

Pope Francis marked a surreal Palm Sunday in an empty St. Peter's Basilica, urging people living through the coronavirus pandemic not to be so concerned with what they lack but how they can ease the suffering of others. The service, kicking off Holy Week events leading to Easter, usually attracts tens of thousands of people to a St. Peter's Square …

Palm Sunday 2020: Pope Francis holds mass in an empty church
4 years, 9 months ago

Palm Sunday 2020: Pope Francis holds mass in an empty church

CNN  

Rome CNN — During a Palm Sunday mass held in a deserted church, Pope Francis told young people not to be afraid to put their lives on the line for others during the coronavirus pandemic. Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday mass behind closed doors at the Chair of Saint Peter in St. Peter's Basilica. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images Normally celebrated outdoors …

Easter services hit as COVID-19 prompts religious leaders to halt church, temple and ashram gatherings
4 years, 9 months ago

Easter services hit as COVID-19 prompts religious leaders to halt church, temple and ashram gatherings

ABC  

Those turning to their faith for guidance on how to cope with COVID-19 are finding their places of worship in lockdown as religious institutions do their bit to contain the spread of the virus. Key points: Catholics in Lismore have cancelled all public Easter and funeral liturgies in church, and Sikh's have strict hygiene rules at temples Hare Krishnas' Sunday …

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