Easter, celebrated in isolation
Easter is celebrated in an unusual way this year, duet o the coronavirus epidemic.
Leyla Cheamil, 13.04.2020, 14:00
Empty streets, suspended courses, closed shops, redundancies and temporary suspension of activity are some of the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic that has taken the world into its gripp, having a negative impact on economy and the healtcare system. By far, the worst thing is the death of so many people. In order to contain the virus, restriction measured have been enforced, one of which is social distancing. The impact of this measure on religious life is felt especially now, around Easter. Holy Week has begun in Romania for Orthodox and Greek Catholic Christians, a period commemorating the most dramatic moments in the life of Christ leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection on Easter Sunday.
In order to prevent the faitful from getting together, unprecedented measures have been announced by the Romanian Orthodox Church. Special masses specific to the Holy Week will further be held in churches, but without the public, and broadcast on radio, television and online. In the context of the state of emergency, confessions and the Eucharist service will be offered only at home, to those who request it. For the Easter Vigil, believers can hold lit candles while standing on their balconies or in their courtyards and uttering the Pascal greeting Christ is risen! In keeping with the tradition started in 2009, the Holy Fire will be brought from Jerusalem on Saturday, by plane, and volunteers will distribute it only to those who request it. The believers will have to wait for it in front of their homes.
Over 2 billion Roman Catholic and Protestant faithful celebrated Easter on Sunday, and religious services were held behind closed doors, being streamlined on the Internet and broadcast live on the radio and on TV. At the Vatican, Pope Francis gave the traditional blessing Urbi et Orbi not from the balcony of St Peter Basilica as usual, but from the entrance to the cathedral. In his Easter message, pope Francis spoke about the situation generated by the coronavirus pandemic, saying that for many, this is an Easter of solitude. He said his thoughts go out to those who are sick with coronavirus, their families and those who died. Pope Francis called for the immediate ending of wars around the world. This is not a time for continuing to manufacture and deal in arms, spending vast amounts of money that ought to be used to care for others and save lives, the Pintiff said. (Translated by Elena Enache)
