By Paola Handal-Michael
When both the Catholics and Orthodox celebrate Easter the same date things are more chaotic than other Easters. Despite the distress of the Bethlehem community there are some specs of pleasure from the season. The cultural centers organized events for kids. The International Center of Bethlehem organized for example a day for Easter for kids in cooperation with Inad Theatre in Beit Jala. They had face painting and watched a movie. The Peace Center also held a small event. The traditional caiks and mamouls were being made in homes ready to serve for the feast. The eggs were sold out in the stores for families hoping to color the eggs with their families. Supermarkets were filled with rabbit shaped chocolates and patterns for the coloring of eggs. Church services were filled with families in their best outfits and their children in their best behavior. Hotels and restaurants are hoping to cash in on the season by offering special lunches and evenings for families. Christians are lining up in the checkpoint to make it to Jerusalem because they were able to get permits. It's always a breath of fresh air to go to Jerusalem's old city for the Easter procession and the lighting of the flame. Although some permits were refused to some people, others were able to make to Jerusalem and pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Those that stayed in Bethlehem and Beit Jala attended the Saturday processions with the scouts awaiting the arrival of the fire from Jerusalem. Tourist buses were seen all around town visiting the church and walking around tourist souvenir shops. All in all, things were happening.
While there are families who managed to celebrate Easter this year so many others here are suffering and dying on a daily basis under this constant occupation. At times this suffering overshadows the whole festivity of the traditional processions and egg colorings. The air that overshadows Bethlehem this year was somber but there was still a gleam of hope among this holy city.
the ladies preparing Easter Caiks & Mamouls
Photo By Jimmy Michael
Bethlehem - Easter Scout Parade -
Photo by Jimmy Michael
Church of Nativity - Lighting Easter candles!
Photo By Jimmy Michael
Bethlehem - Easter Scout Parade -
Photo by Jimmy Michael
Bethlehem - Easter Scout Parade -
Photo by Jimmy Michael
Bethlehem - Easter Saturday Procession
Photo by Jimmy Michael
Bethlehem - Easter Saturday Procession
Photo by Jimmy Michael
Bethlehem - Easter Saturday Procession
Photo by Jimmy Michael
Bethlehem - Easter Saturday Procession
Photo by Jimmy Michael
