Palm Sunday celebration took place in Mersin
Just like all Greek Orthodox Churches, the beginning of the suffering week of Jesus Christ in the Mersin Greek Orthodox Church began with the celebration of the Palm Sunday on April 1, 2018.
A crowded community gathered for the mass at the Mersin Greek Orthodox Church.
Before the Holy Week, Jesus resurrects Lazarus in Bitinia, who was dead for four days and then he enters Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. On the gates of the city of Jerusalem the people meet him with palms. Jesus Christ falls among the cries of children and people “Hosanna, Blessed be who comes with the name of the Lord” and enters the city. This great interest of the people to Jesus Christ, who rides on the barn, frightens the Jewish clergy. The prominent religious leaders of the Jews begin to make plans to capture him. The entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem actually means taking a step on the cross.
After the mass in the Greek Orthodox Church in Mersin, the children carried palm and olive branches adorned with flowers and performed the entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem with hymns. After the procession in the church yard, the Parish priest distributed the blessed olive branches to the congregation.
Easter Joy at Mersin Catholic Church
The Catholic Church community living in Mersin celebrated the Easter Sunday with a ceremony held in the Latin Catholic Church.
The congregation came together at the church garden for a mass held at the Italian Catholic Church and burned Easter candles with prayers. After the completion of the light ceremony, the congregation entered the church for the mass led by Father Francis Dondu. After the prayers and hymns in the church, the baptismal promises were renewed in the presence of Father Dondu.
