Abu Dhabi: Christians are in the midst of marking Holy Week, which began on Sunday. The event culminates with Easter Sunday celebrations, which reminds humanity that hope comes after suffering, a senior priest said.
Holy Week commemorates the final week of Jesus Christ’s life, the Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson, senior chaplain at St Andrew’s Church in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News on Tuesday.
Maundy Thursday commemorates the last supper of Jesus Christ with the apostles. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday.
Christians relive the sufferings of Christ during Holy Week, the Rev Thompson said.
“It reminds one there is hope even after darkness, grief and sadness. Because at the end there is celebration,” he said.
About 20,000 people from different congregations will attend services on these special occasions at the church, the chaplain said.
“This is a wonderful time to reflect on God’s love to the world as expressed through the words of Jesus,” Cameron Arensen, Senior Pastor at Evangelical Community Church in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News.
Hundreds of believers from 30 congregations will attend services at the church on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, he said. The church does not have a Maundy Thursday service. St George Orthodox Cathedral in Abu Dhabi is happy to have a visiting senior bishop from India to lead the Holy Week week services that started on Palm Sunday (last Sunday), father V.C Jose, vicar of the church said. Dr Yuhanon Mar Milithios, Metropolitan of the Thrissur Diocese in the South Indian state of Kerala is receiving many visitors seeking his blessings, he said.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which continues until Easter Sunday.
Along with prayers, believers have started their preparations to celebrate Easter Sunday. Stores across the country have attractive Easter displays, including Easter eggs, which are a symbol of new life.
