In Hatay, Christians of Antakya gather in the church hall every Wednesday during the Easter Fasting Period and eat the “Fasting Meal” together. The members of the congregation get together every week to prepare for the enthusiasm of the Easter (Resurrection) Feast.
The Easter Fast Meals, which are traditionally held during the Easter fasting period, are held this year in the Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Antakya. The members of the congregation always eat the meals prepared with olive oil suitable for the fasting together, with a good example of sharing.
At the fasting dinner, which starts with the prayers and blessings of Church Fathers Dimitri Birth and Can Dellüler, members of the congregation enjoy eating together by taking dishes made with olive oil.
During the event, where the Antakya Catholic Church Father Domenico Bertogli was present and local foods were prepared and shared, the Orthodox of Antakya, who came together in the church hall, display a good example of devotion. The members of the Antakya congregation prepare themselves for the enthusiasm of Easter with a fasting period of approximately 5 weeks.
In Orthodox Churches, also on Wednesday and Friday during the fasting period; “Praise to the Virgin Mary” (El-Madeyih) are also performed with “The Rite of the Fore-Blessed Mysteries (Projiezmeni)”. (SAT-7 Turk/İlyas Edip TERBİYELİ-İskenderun)
