Feastday

Empty Way of
the Cross

1st weekend of lockdown. It was rather slow for me ... a change of pace since there was no formal work to be done. Yesterday morning was spent correcting an article. It was mentally tiring as I haven't done it in 8 months. The one grey matter isn't what it used to be. The afternoon was spent reading up on my course in Coptic Theology. I had felt much better than the other day's reaction to the flu vaccination. It was a good warning that I'm too weak and any vaccination must first be prepared with strengthening the body ... and telling the doctor about possible reactions. 

Well people are still walking in the streets ... as a limit of 1km is permitted. Cars go in and out of our street. But still it's less numerous than usual. The side streets and alleys are very empty. Food and grocery shops are crowded with small groups of buyers. I hope the people in my neighbourhood are getting the message ... distancing and wearing masks are important. Yesterday saw over 8000 new infections and over 50 dead in 24 hours. The numbers are horrifying. But still with no law on demonstrations in place, Saturday night saw thousands of people protesting at the junction of the PM's house. 

This evening the jews celebrate Yom Kippur of Day of Atonement. It's a day of fasting and repentance which lasts 24 hrs, ending tomorrow evening. It will be extra hard for those wishing to go to the Wailing Wall as it's limited to worshippers due to distancing rules. In fact the Chief Rabbi announced that he would support a total closure of synagogues if the govt. enacted such a move. The ultra-orthodox community is not at all happy ... though they have the highest rate of infections. Anyway no such law was enacted ... the police need not fear of riots in the ultra-orthodox areas.

Lockdown meals be like ...

Today is also the Armenian christian feast of the Holy Cross called the Surp Katchich. The armenian catholic priest had come from Amman 2 weeks ago and was in 14 day quarantine but today he completed the quarantine and presided at the feastday liturgy. It was broadcast live via Youtube and there were some laity present ... not more than 10 as the law stipulates. Instead of the lengthy Armenian Rite, the priest had reduced it to the short Roman Rite but using the corresponding armenian prayers. Quite a hybrid ... not unlike my Mass.