VATICAN CITY (AP) – The happiest holiday of Christianity has been celebrated around the world, with believers distancing themselves in the pews and singing “Alleluia” choirs through front covers on a second Easter Sunday marked by pandemic precautions.
From vast Roman Catholic cathedrals to Protestant churches, believers have complied with coronavirus regulations. In some European countries, citizens have lined up for Easter to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
In the Lombardy region of Italy, where the pandemic first broke out in the West, a hospital offered a traditional pigeon-shaped cake, symbolizing the peace of every person waiting to be vaccinated. Many of those who came were 80 years old.
A football team from Lyon, France, has opened its stadium as a vaccination center for the long holiday weekend. About 9,000 people were expected to receive their shots there within three days, while the French government is trying to speed up vaccinations amid a new outbreak of infection.
In the Holy Land, travel restrictions and quarantine regulations have prevented foreign pilgrims from traveling to religious places in Jerusalem during Holy Week, which culminates in the Passover holidays. Pope Francis lamented that the pandemic has prevented some churches from attending services.
At St. Peter’s Basilica, the approximately 200 believers who were allowed to participate seemed lost in the cavernous cathedral. Normally, thousands would be at the Liturgy celebrated by Francis, and over 100.00 would sometimes gather outside in St. Peter’s Square to receive the Easter blessing afterwards.
But this year, as in 2020, crowds are banned from gathering in Italy and the Vatican. Francis delivered his Easter speech at noon on world affairs from inside the basilica, using the opportunity to attract again that vaccines reach the poorest countries.
The pontiff sounded tired as he noted that the pandemic measures affected religious holiday traditions and kept some believers from public worship.
“We pray that these restrictions, as well as all restrictions on freedom of worship and religion worldwide, will be lifted and that everyone will be allowed to pray and praise God freely,” Francis said.
In Syria, where a national vaccination program has not yet begun, churches in the Church of Our Lady of Damascus have prayed for a way out of the economic and political crisis, exacerbated only by the pandemic.
“We came to church at Easter, so we are getting rid of the pandemic we are in,” Bassam Assaf said. “Of course, we are not afraid of coronavirus. It is the reality we face, but it cannot stop us from coming and praying to God to get us out of this ordeal and help the world. ”
A service at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem was celebrated by senior Roman Catholic clergy in the Holy Land. This is where many Christians believe that Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. Israel’s successful vaccination campaign has allowed many places to be reopened, including religious sites.
The pandemic prevented the Brotherhood of the Holy Resurrection of Seville from sending its Easter-decorated float, with a towering statue of Jesus, on the streets of the Spanish city. Instead, the Brotherhood posted old videos and photos from their last procession, two years ago.
Some Pentecostal Christians in South Africa have canceled a three-day retreat since Good Friday. On the hills overlooking Soweto, a town in Johannesburg, apostolic Pentecostals gathered in small groups on Sunday to mark Easter.
In South Korea, Yoido Full Gospel Church, the country’s largest Protestant church, allowed only about 2,000 people to attend the Easter service, or about 17 percent of the main building’s capacity. The masked worshipers sang hymns and prayed while the service was broadcast online and on Christian TV channels.
Intended to reduce the weeks of growing infections, the Italian government has ordered people to stay home for the three-day weekend, except for essential commissions. The government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi allowed a visit to family or friends per day in the regions of origin of residents on the weekend, which includes the national holiday on Monday.
Italy allows religious services in the event of a pandemic, if capacity is limited and masks are worn. But in the beginning, the many churches in the Roman Catholic country were open only for individual prayer.
Hundreds of Catholics gathered in the mammoth St. Paul’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Paul, Minnesota, for the Easter Vigil service Saturday night. All other pews were kept empty and masks were mandatory. However, the solemn liturgy marked a hopeful new beginning for the congregation after a turbulent year.
After last year’s virtual Easter services, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City was at half capacity for Sunday Mass. Worshipers have distanced themselves in the vaulted neo-Gothic cathedral, which can accommodate over 2,000. The choir sang through masks.
In Detroit, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church opened for in-person Easter services for the first time in more than a year, with capacity limits and social distancing rules. Rev. Charles Christian Adams told the Detroit Free Press that people need a church, especially after the congregation lost at least 14 members to COVID-19.
Tonee Carpio said being physically in St. Mary’s Church. Vincent de Paul of Austin, Texas, meant a lot to her after last year’s services were only offered online. She said being in church helps preserve the life of her Filipino culture in her city, as some prayers are offered in her native Tagalog.
“When you’re inside a church, you become more solemn, you can focus on God,” she said.
In Florida, the Eastgate Christian Fellowship in Panama City Beach hosted the annual sunrise service on the beach. The church had to cancel the service last year because all the beaches were closed. Pastor Janelle Green estimated that about 400 people attended.
Robin Fox of Palm Bay was planning to spend Sunday driving his mother to Orlando to receive a second dose of the vaccine at a Federal Emergency Management Agency emergency room.
“She gets that freedom the same day (people go to) church to celebrate that Jesus has risen, so I told her, ‘It’s like you’re resurrected,'” Fox said.
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PA reporters from around the world contributed.
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