Jerusalem got an early Easter miracle this week – the rebirth of religious gatherings, thanks to an aggressive rollout of vaccinations that led to a sharp drop in COVID cases.
Thousands filled the streets on Good Friday in the Christian Quarter of the Old City for the Way of the Cross procession, where believers follow the last steps of Jesus before his crucifixion.
Masked crowds were seen shoulder to shoulder as men dragged a replica cross down the narrow corridors.
“We have more hope that things will get better,” said Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa. “The message of Easter is life and love, despite all the signs of death, corona, pandemic, whatever, we believe in the power of love and life.”
At the outbreak of the pandemic last year, Easter church services were canceled in Jerusalem and in many parts of the world.
The sense of normalcy has resumed in Israel, where more than half of the population has been vaccinated.
Still, there are capacity limitations for indoor Easter services, masks are required, and foreigners still need special permission to enter the country, which hampers tourism.
“It still feels like it’s not normal,” said Hagop Karakashian, the owner of a famous Old Town ceramic shop. ‘The locals can celebrate, yes. But something is still missing. “
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