Thousands of Christians attend Easter services

Dubai/Sharjah: Tens of thousands of Christians turned out for services this Easter, with church ministers saying that attendances this year have been larger than ever.

In Holy Trinity Church on Oud Metha Road, Dubai, alone, services were held in more than 15 languages to mark the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Nearby St Mary's Catholic Church was also very busy with many Easter services.

The Reverend John Weir, Senior Chaplain of the Anglican Chaplaincy of Dubai and Sharjah, who gave more than half a dozen services on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday at Holy Trinity Church said: "Easter is the central event of Christian life. The most important fact from which our faith grew is that Jesus died, was buried and rose again.

Increased numbers

"Easter is the busiest weekend of the year and when you put together the growth of Christianity in some parts of the world with the increase in the number of people from different nationalities coming to Dubai, it is reflected in the increased numbers."

In addition, this Easter has been particularly busy because both the Western and Eastern branches are celebrating the festival on the same weekend. Usually the two branches of the church mark Easter at different times.

Among the traditions of Easter is the giving of eggs, as these are taken to represent new life. Worshippers at Holy Trinity were presented with coloured boiled eggs, while in other services chocolate eggs were handed out.

Rev Weir said: "There must have been 1,000 boiled eggs given out and at one stage the whole place was covered with them - it looked like an omelette."

Parking was at a premium in the Oud Metha Road area over Easter, with many worshippers having to park away from the church area and walk in as such large numbers of other Christians were visiting at the same time. Traffic was very heavy in the area, leaving some drivers stuck in long tailbacks.

There were early-morning sunrise services, many Easter vigils at which candles were lit, and Holy Communion services.

Coptic Bishop hails religious tolerance

The Coptic Orthodox Church in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night celebrated Easter in the presence of Egypt's Ambassador to the UAE Mohammad Sa'ad Obeid.

In an Easter sermon, Bishop Eshaq Al Anba Bishoy, Pastor of the church, thanked the rulers for 'the religious tolerance' enjoyed by the Copts and other Christian communities which, he said, are allowed to perform their religious rites and observe ceremonies 'quite freely and safely.' Obeid expressed gratitude to the government and people for the hospitality rendered to the Egyptian community.

- WAM