Holy Land: Under air raids we continue to announce victory of Risen One

Source: Fides

The Christians of Gaza lived through Holy Week while the sky above them was once again torn by the lightning of war. In the night between Thursday and Good Friday, air raids by the Israeli armed forces hit the Palestinian enclave, an operation presented as a response to rocket attacks on Israel from Palestinian territories. The situation made the prayers and practices shared by the few baptized residents of the Gaza Strip, among millions of Muslims, even more intense.

Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Latin church of the Holy Family told Fides: "Here in Gaza, by the grace of God we continue to confess our faith in this way: the Risen One has not returned to the tomb, he did not return to die. He is the Lord of history and of the centuries. And his victory over evil and sin also nourishes hope in human victories for every good and just cause. Victories for peace, against war and against injustice."

Throughout Lent, Christians in Gaza had many opportunities to come together to reflect on the mysteries of salvation recounted in the Gospel. Throughout Lent, every Friday, many parishioners Stations of the Cross.

On Holy Thursday, after Mass in Coena Domini, the noise of rockets and air raids led to the cancellation of the planned procession to the 'seven tabernacles', the seven places - including the Orthodox church - which, in Gaza, keep the Eucharist.

On Good Friday, after the Liturgy of the Passion there were plans for a small procession carrying the statue of Christ lying down to the small parish cemetery. On the way back, the parish also planned to plant a cross adorned with flowers in front of the church, and recite prayers in front of the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows.

In the midst of the conflicts that are tearing the Middle East apart, Father Romanelli, missionary of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, repeated that the urgency is "to pray for peace and work for peace, trying to make oases of peace and justice flourish".

During Lent, works of charity and help for the poorest were also shared by Christians with Muslims, who are also experiencing Ramadan, a time of fasting and prayer.