Emmaus

Easter full moon over Damascus Gate

Easter Sunday was quiet. Many communities especially the protestants had sunrise services. These usually take place on the roofs and terraces of their buildings where the sunrise can be seen over the Mt. of Olives. Those people who did not attend the Easter Vigil went to the Holy Sepulchre for the morning Mass where the resurrection was announced. Very touching.

Mass in Emmaus

Today being Easter Monday, we go to Emmaus to commemorate the Risen Christ's meeting with his 2 disciples. Solemn Mass was celebrated by the Custos and after Mass he distributed blessed bread to everyone. Hundreds of locals went to join in. It's very difficult to enter Emmaus today as it's surrounded by a jewish settlement. Entry is allowed after an appeal is made to the police and they grant permission. On Easter Monday they allow busloads to enter so many people who otherwise have no opportunity to see Emmaus, join in. There are no more christians in Emmaus except 2 convents of german nuns. One convent runs a clinic and the other a home for the aged. Everyone in the village is a muslim.

I am proud to say I was once the parish priest of Emmaus. Not many priests can say that. Back in 1995 the superior of Emmaus had suddenly died and the vicar had a heart attack. The Custos back then asked me to go to Emmaus and help out till they could find a permanent substitute. Those were the best moments in my life in the Holy Land. Though it was the Intifada and Emmaus was a hotbed of rebellion, I found it a wonderful experience and actually that was when I learned arabic. Had no choice. Everyone else spoke only arabic.

The basilica in Emmaus is Crusader and there was a bishop there. Today the See is titular and the auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem is usually the titular bishop of Emmaus.

This morning ten thousand jews gathered at the Wailing Wall to receive the blessing of the jewish priests. Security was tight. Police helicopters flew overheard all morning while police were numerous in the streets.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/local/100000-gather-for-priestly-blessing-35312

While for us the Paschal Triduum is over, the Orthodox churches are just starting Holy Week. Thousands of russians and egyptian copts are gathering in the City .... crowding our courtyard and chapels. The police don't seem to care to control the traffic like what they did for us Catholics. Our street and the rest of the Via Dolorosa is totally congested and extremely unpleasant.