Lent at the Holy Sepulcher.
The beginning of Lent in Jerusalem is symbolized by the opening of the Holy Sepulcher and ritualized by the entrance of the celebrants of the various churches. A precise order establishes the schedule of the entrances when, like this year, the date of Easter coincides for both Catholics and Orthodox.
It is Saturday, the evening of March 12. First to enter are those who are still called "Latins", or the Roman Catholic Church. The Friars Minor of the Custody of the Holy Land lead into the basilica, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Kamal Batish along with the clergy and seminarians of Jerusalem. Then, it was the turn of the Greek Orthodox, Copts, the Syrians and the Armenians.
All arrive at the Holy Sepulcher in procession after passing through the neighborhoods of the Old Town led by the Kawas, the guard of honor which acts as escort and establishes the pace. After their entrance, each group celebrates its introductory rite at the Stone of the Unction,…More