On Sunday, April 16, the Christians of Jordan celebrated the Feast of the Resurrection (Easter), which is considered one of the most important Christian holidays. Prayers were said in churches on the night of Holy Saturday and Sunday morning with a distinguished presence of believers. Homilies were also delivered that shed light on the spiritual and human meanings of this feast.
In his Easter message 2023, Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Jordan Bishop Jamal D’aibes called for spiritual preparations for the Feast of Easter through reconciliation with God and seeking penance which leads to reconciliation with neighbors He pointed out the importance of purifying hearts from all hatred and grudge, from all evils and sins, so that we may obtain the blessing the Feast of Resurrection, namely a new life and a new human Who will rise with Lord Jesus.
During the two Holy Masses he celebrated on Holy Saturday at De La Salle Church in Jabal Hussein and Easter Sunday at Our Lady of Nazareth Church in Sweifieh, Bishop D’aibes lifted up prayers for the perpetuation of stability and prosperity in dear Jordan, as well as for the good health and of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah so that Jordan would remain a fortified fortress, marching towards goodness, success and progress. He also wished everyone blessings and goodness in these blessed feasts.
Prayers were also lifted up for Jerusalem and its residents during these Easter days, whose center is the Holy City, especially the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Bishop D’aibes said, “We focus our eyes during this feast towards noble Jerusalem, and we pray for its peace, justice and stability, especially at a time when its citizens face restrictions regarding the arrival of Muslim worshippers to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the arrival of Christians to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is regarded as the holiest church in the world.
In another context, Fr. Rif’at Bader, the parish priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tla’a Al-Ali and Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, said that Easter is one of the most important Christian feasts, or rather absolutely the most important of all, because it represents the essence of the Christian faith marking in death and the rising of Lord Jesus. He said that the events of this holiday and the religious rites are among the beloved rites of the Christian people, who flocked to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast with the heads of the churches there.
Fr. Bader praised the large presence of the faithful in the Jordanian churches, and thanked the security services, the watchful eye on the security and safety of the country as well as for all the support and the presence at the churches’ gates. He also thanked the Ministry of Higher Education that postponed exams for all students, and this happened for the first time, so that Christian students could celebrate Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday as well as the second day of the feast. He addressed the Jordanian extended family on these holidays, wishing well the Muslim brethren who mark the last ten days of the month of Ramadan days, He also prayed that Jordan would remain a beacon in national unity, harmony, and dialogue under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah.
By en.abouna.org
