Friday nightmare

Street closure today

Today was the dreaded day ... the Orthodox celebrate their Good Friday. Our area was packed by the Copts and Ethiopians. No offence meant but truth be said ... they are the most unruly crowd ever. Even while I was celebrating mass at 6.30am with our community and congregation, a group of ethiopic women walked in right up to the sanctuary and started chatting and taking photos like we never existed. Then later a coptic man walked in browsed around like a museum while we were preparing for communion. Minutes later after Mass ended, thousands came shouting, talking, eating ... utterly unbelievable. Flower vase were broken and anything that could be removed was taken away as souvenirs.

Luckily the police stepped in at 9am. Streets were blocked and groups were allowed to forward only after another group moved on. By staggering the movement of massive groups, the police prevented a crush. Mind you the crowds were massive, not merely because of the orthodox feast but it's also the last day of the jewish Passover and Muslim Friday prayers. All 3 groups use the same streets to get to their respectively places of prayer. The Police did a great job.

More closures

I however was caught in the closure. I had rushed off to my other office 1km away hoping to miss the closure but on my way back the police won't allow me to cross the blockade. It was only after 10 mins that the go-ahead was given and I could go home. Still I appreciated it because it prevented me from being trampled by the hoards of copts blocking our entrance and courtyard.

The rest of the day was spent in the kitchen. Our cook was alone because our sisters went on an excursion to Caesarea Maritima. I helped prepare the salad and breaded the fish. But I couldn't eat lunch as I had a class. After class I worked in the library and attempted to go out to buy some arab pancakes for my community. The streets at 4.30pm was a lot quieter ... by that I mean several hundred orthodox pilgrims instead of thousands. Then I helped prepare dinner. Now I am exhausted.

At 3pm the Greek Orthodox at the Holy Sepulchre began tolling the death knell. It will continue till tomorrow at 2pm when the Holy Fier descends in the Empty Tomb. Will tell you more about it tomorrow.