The Easter Day, which is the great holiday of Christians, meaning the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, was celebrated with enthusiasm by the Orthodox faithful living in Antioch. The mass in the St. Peter and Paul Church in Antioch held in the garden section was quite colorful.
The Christians arriving to the church in the very early hours in the morning prayed and lighted candles. The mass was led by the Bishop of Selefkiya which depends on the Patriarchate of Antioch, Patriarcal Vicar Efram Maluli was accompanied by Church Leaders Jan Dellüler and Dimitri Doğum.
Peace messages were also given during the mass. The celebrations continued in the church garden where a confetti demonstration took place. After the ceremony, the members of the congregation met at the breakfast organized by the Church Foundation and shared the feast of joy by tapping eggs.
Participation of the protocol to the breakfast
Governor of Antioch Erdal Ata, Antiochian Metropolitan Mayor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lütfü Savaş, Mustafa Kemal University Rector Dr. Hasan Kaya, Provincial Police Chief Kamil Karabörk, Provincial Mufti Hamdi Kavillioğlu, President of the Jewish Community Şaul Cenudioğlu, Antiochian Catholic Church Pastor Domenico Bertogli, some non-governmental organization representatives and Christian citizens participated to the breakfast.
During his speech, the President of the Orthodox Community Foundation Fadi Hurigil said: “Antakya is the city which celebrates Easter Day with a particular enthusiasm and makes feel the Easter while walking on its streets. Antakya is the city which whoever was born in it and migrated from it comes back to celebrate this feast. Whatever our origins, beliefs and philosophical views are, our brothers and sisters share their traditions and customs in this world of violence and hatred.”
After the meal the Governor of Antioch Erdal Ata, Orthodox Community Foundation President Fadi Hurigil and Antiochian Patriarchate Selefkiya Bishop and Patriarchal Vicar Efram Maluli tagged their eggs.
