With reverence and ecclesiastical compunction, following the cessation of hostilities, and with the abundant participation of the pious flock, the sacred Services of Great Friday and of the Radiant Resurrection were celebrated in the Holy Metropolis of Ptolemais, both in the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Holy Great Martyr George in Acre, and in all the parishes of the region.
At the sacred Services in Acre, Metropolitan Makarios presided, concelebrating with Archimandrite Silouanos, Fr Stephanos Nasar, and Deacon Ioann Avtsinikov. The Services were celebrated in the Greek, Arabic, and Slavonic languages for the fuller participation of the faithful.
On Great Friday, in an atmosphere of deep compunction and emotion, the Epitaph Service was held, together with the procession around the Holy Metropolitan Church, with the participation of the faithful and of the Orthodox Scouts of Acre.
On Great Saturday, the reception of the Holy Light took place at the entrance of the quarter of the Holy Metropolis. During the night of Great Saturday, a multitude of Christians filled the Holy Cathedral Church; they then remained and participated in the Divine Liturgy, nearly all partaking of the Immaculate Mysteries, followed by the blessing of the Paschal eggs and foods. In place of a sermon, the Paschal Message of His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, was read in Arabic and Russian.
At midday of the same day, following the celebration of the Vespers of Love, the newly elected Mayor of Acre, the Deputy Commander of the city’s Police Department, delegations of the Muslims, and clergy from the Christian confessions in Acre, the Maronites and the Anglicans, visited the Holy Metropolis for the exchange of festal greetings.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
