Palm Sunday passed in Sidon without the usual Mass and communal celebrations that accompany it, as the country implements wide-reaching lockdown measures to counter coronavirus’ spread.
Bishops in Sidon held their ceremonies in the company of a small number of priests, in churches devoid of worshipers. Those inclined to follow the festivities did so from within their homes, tuning into the Palm Sunday sermons online or on television.
Priest Elias al-Asmar spoke to his followers in support of the preventive measures that will remain in place for the foreseeable future, including during Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The prayers were broadcast over social media, while the ablution that usually takes place after the Palm Sunday Mass was canceled.
In villages in east Sidon and along the coast at Jezzine, children were to be found proudly wearing their new Palm Sunday clothes, carrying candles and olive branches on their balconies, wishing the trickle of people passing by well.
"We return to Palm Sunday this year and turn to active means of communication to celebrate,” said Bishop Eli Haddad, pastor of the Diocese of Sidon and Deir al-Qamar. “What is the difference whether we pray in church or at home? What is important is that our heart celebrates Palm Sunday and that we meet directly with Christ in the depths of our hearts.”
Haddad confirmed that churches in the area would remain closed the coming week.
“Let the priest who can hold Mass online celebrate ... We will broadcast from the cathedral in Sidon all the ritual celebrations via Facebook and on the website of St. Nicolas Sidon. Let these days be a reason for reflection, and we thank our Creator who said ‘Do not be afraid.’”
Archbishop of Sidon and Deir al-Qamar, Bishop Maroun Al-Amar, said: “On these difficult days, you must cry out every hour and every minute, ‘Lord, save us. Do not tire of this cry, and I assure you that our Lord will hear this repeated and will respond to the prayers of the people.
“O Lord, inspire all those responsible in this world to get rid of this epidemic, whether it is a disease or a political epidemic or an economic epidemic or any epidemic that could threaten the world.”
This article has been adapted from its original source.
