AMMAN — Christians around Jordan on Sunday flocked to newly
reopened churches for
Palm Sunday celebrations, marking the beginning of Holy Week ahead of
Easter.
اضافة اعلان
The holiday was marred last year by the
COVID-19 pandemic, and
gatherings in churches were banned as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus, but the
government announced last week that it will allow churches to reopen for Palm Sunday and
Easter celebrations this year.
Christian belief commemorates on Palm Sunday, also known as Passion
Sunday, the entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where palm branches were believed
to be placed in his path.
Churches mark the holiday by distributing palm leaves, which are
later either saved or burned into ashes.
Mousa Bajali, Honorary Consul for the Republic of Fiji, told
Jordan
News that the fact that the churches were opened for worshippers on Palm Sunday “reflects the
respect and harmonious living for which Jordan is known.”
Priests who spoke to
Jordan News said that they made sure
throughout the ceremonies that people entering the church are wearing face masks and maintaining
social distancing, emphasizing the importance of following the COVID-19
protocols to protect public health and safety.
Parish Priest of the Catholic Church in Fuheis Imad Twal said in a
phone interview that the opening of churches for Palm Sunday celebrations makes it “extra
special”, since last year the conditions did not allow for such gatherings.
Twal added that a maximum of two people were allowed to share seat
benches, separated by ribbons.
“Compared to pre-COVID times, when Palm Sunday would normally
witness big gatherings, the numbers were lower due to the pandemic,” Twal said.
“Many children
and elders did not attend the prayer, and some of the church rituals were cancelled,
including the processions.”
He added that churches observed two masses, one in the morning and
one in the afternoon, in order to give a chance to all those planning to celebrate the event
to do so, without holding large gatherings, in compliance with the government’s health protocol.
Wearing their face masks and social distancing to protect
themselves, Christians at the church waved their palm fronds as the priest sprinkled holy water on them.
Journalist Nadine Nimri said that Palm Sunday “is a special occasion
that brings joy to both the young and old, but especially the children, who are involved in the
ceremony by holding branches and candles during the services.”
She added that as thankful as she is for the reopening churches for
this occasions, she wished that she would be able to attend the mass of Good Friday, the
Friday before Easter.
As lockdown will be imposed throughout April 30, the day Christians
are set to mark Good Friday, churches will broadcast mass on social media, but they will
not be permitted to open for attendees.
Hannen Karadsheh, from Madaba Governorate, said that along with her
husband and their two little girls, they attended the morning mass “wearing masks,
maintaining distances, and praying for people’s safety, but mostly praying for the end of the
pandemic.”
“It is a very special day today,” said George Bahbah, a church goer
from Zarqa Governorate, “that we are able to celebrate Palm Sunday at church with family
and friends, a matter that enhances our morale and improves our spiritual health, the two
things we are in dire need of these day.”
Similarly, his wife, Hanadi, said that “with all of the sickness,
fear, isolation, and death brought by the pandemic, being in church to pray and listen to the ceremony
was needed now more than ever.”
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