The Christian churches that follow the Eastern calendar in the cities of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala celebrated today, Saturday, the Sabbath of Light, marking the start of the celebrations of the glorious Easter, which falls on Sunday.
The city of Bethlehem witnessed the climax of the celebrations, when it received the light emanating from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the area of the Catholic Work Roundabout, which was crowded with celebrants. After that, the attendees embarked on the “Zaffat al-Nour” led by scout groups, through Ras Aftis and Al-Najma Streets, to Manger Square, and it took place there. official reception.
In Manger Square, Al-Nour was received by the Bethlehem Governorate, Kamel Hamid, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Vicar, Metropolitan Vindicttus, and the Mayor of Bethlehem, Hanan Hanania, in the presence of the Director General of Bethlehem Police, Brigadier General Ibrahim Al-Absi, in addition to representatives of the security services and church dignitaries.
After the reception, the recipients and celebrants marched in an official procession towards the Church of the Nativity, and there a special prayer was held, and candles and lanterns were lit, in preparation for the commencement of the festive masses for Easter.
Manger Square was filled with thousands of Copts from the Arab Republic of Egypt, who added luster to the celebrations.
Father Arsanius of Jerusalem, from the Arab Republic of Egypt, said that the number of Copts who came to participate in the Holy Saturday and Easter celebrations reached 4,500 Copts.
He added, “Today, we feel happiness and joy in our presence in the cradle of Christ, and we live at the peak of spirituality,” noting that the aesthetic celebrations of holidays in Palestine take on a national character, which gives them a lively atmosphere.
For his part, the Mayor of Bethlehem, Hanna Hanania, said, “Bethlehem today assures everyone that it is safe and calm, and it receives the celebrants, unlike what is happening in the occupied city of Jerusalem, in which the celebrants are attacked by the Israeli occupation forces.”
He added, “Our message today and always will remain the message of our Palestinian people, which is a message of love and peace, and that the large attendance in Manger Square is a clear indication of the keenness of our people and our wise leadership to revive our religious and national occasions as a clear challenge to the arrogance of the occupier.”
In the city of Beit Sahour, he received the light at the Ararat region at the entrance to the city, and from there the celebrants marched towards the Church of the Greek Orthodox forefathers.
As for the city of Beit Jala, it received the light in the Sahel region, and the celebrants headed to the Church of the Virgin of the Romans, and then to the Monastery of the Romans, amid great celebrations and scout shows in the churchyard.
