The exchange of Easter greetings between the representatives of Christianity in Jerusalem follows a precise protocol. Greek Orthodox, Armenians, Copts, Syriacs, Ethiopians, the Latin Patriarch, Melkites, Maronites, the Apostolic Delegate and, naturally the friars of the Custody go from one to another in the Old City, to exchange greetings on these days of celebration.
The Father Custos, Brother Pierbattista Pizzaballa, met His Excellency Mons. Antonio Franco (Apostolic Delegate), His Beatitude Mons. Fouad Twal (Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem), Mons. Joseph-Joul Al-Zreih (Melkite Archbishop), Mons. Paul Nabil Sayyah (Maronite Patriarch Exarch), His Beatitude Theophilos III (Greek Orthodox Patriarch), His Beatitude Torkom Manoogian (Armenian Patriarch), His Grace Dr. Anba Abraham (Coptic Archbishop), Abba Matias (Ethiopian Archbishop) and His Eminence Mar Swerios Malki Murad (Syrian Patriarcal Vicar Archbishop).
The two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, after the Sunday of the Resurrection, are marked by visits. The programme of the Franciscans took them on Tuesday morning to the Copts and the Greek Orthodox, and then to the Syriacs. In the afternoon, they visited the Ethiopians, immediately after welcoming the Latin Patriarch together with the representatives of the Melkites and the Maronites. Mons. Twal then also met the religious of the infirmary.
On Wednesday morning, the first to arrive at St. Saviour were the Greeks. They were followed by the Armenians and then – together – the Copts and the Syriacs. In the afternoon, the friars received the Ethiopians, immediately before going to the Armenians. “Home” again, they received the Apostolic Delegate Mons. Antonio Franco. “I hope that the Custody can grow increasingly in quality and quantity, in defense of the Holy Places,” was his greeting at a meeting where, alongside the institutional words, considerations were made on the topics of this complex land.
The forty-eight hours of visits, speeches, good wishes, thanks and hopes for the future are repeated at Easter and Christmas. “It is wonderful to have the chance to make this exchange,” said the Father Custos, Brother Pierbattista Pizzaballa, at one of the many meetings – "We follow a protocol, but we also meet because we want to. It is an opportunity not only for us to meet, but to visit us in our respective ‘homes’ and when you see a friend’s home, you know him better.”
Alongside the “Happy Easters” pronounced in many different languages, the common mission as witnesses of the same faith is asserted, sharing in the joy of the Resurrection – this year celebrated simultaneously – the difficulty but also the great gift of being in Jerusalem and the concern for the Christian communities who, in several areas of the world, experience discrimination and difficulties.
By Serena Picariello
Photos by Marco Gavasso
The Father Custos, Brother Pierbattista Pizzaballa, met His Excellency Mons. Antonio Franco (Apostolic Delegate), His Beatitude Mons. Fouad Twal (Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem), Mons. Joseph-Joul Al-Zreih (Melkite Archbishop), Mons. Paul Nabil Sayyah (Maronite Patriarch Exarch), His Beatitude Theophilos III (Greek Orthodox Patriarch), His Beatitude Torkom Manoogian (Armenian Patriarch), His Grace Dr. Anba Abraham (Coptic Archbishop), Abba Matias (Ethiopian Archbishop) and His Eminence Mar Swerios Malki Murad (Syrian Patriarcal Vicar Archbishop).
The two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, after the Sunday of the Resurrection, are marked by visits. The programme of the Franciscans took them on Tuesday morning to the Copts and the Greek Orthodox, and then to the Syriacs. In the afternoon, they visited the Ethiopians, immediately after welcoming the Latin Patriarch together with the representatives of the Melkites and the Maronites. Mons. Twal then also met the religious of the infirmary.
On Wednesday morning, the first to arrive at St. Saviour were the Greeks. They were followed by the Armenians and then – together – the Copts and the Syriacs. In the afternoon, the friars received the Ethiopians, immediately before going to the Armenians. “Home” again, they received the Apostolic Delegate Mons. Antonio Franco. “I hope that the Custody can grow increasingly in quality and quantity, in defense of the Holy Places,” was his greeting at a meeting where, alongside the institutional words, considerations were made on the topics of this complex land.
The forty-eight hours of visits, speeches, good wishes, thanks and hopes for the future are repeated at Easter and Christmas. “It is wonderful to have the chance to make this exchange,” said the Father Custos, Brother Pierbattista Pizzaballa, at one of the many meetings – "We follow a protocol, but we also meet because we want to. It is an opportunity not only for us to meet, but to visit us in our respective ‘homes’ and when you see a friend’s home, you know him better.”
Alongside the “Happy Easters” pronounced in many different languages, the common mission as witnesses of the same faith is asserted, sharing in the joy of the Resurrection – this year celebrated simultaneously – the difficulty but also the great gift of being in Jerusalem and the concern for the Christian communities who, in several areas of the world, experience discrimination and difficulties.
By Serena Picariello
Photos by Marco Gavasso