In neighboring Lebanon, Christians observed Good Friday under a lockdown during a severe economic crisis. Worshippers in the Philippines and France marked a second annual Holy Week under movement restrictions amid outbreaks fanned by more contagious strains. In the U.S., officials urged Christians to celebrate outdoors, while social distancing, or in virtual ceremonies. Despite one of the world’s most successful vaccination campaigns, air travel to and from Israel is still limited by quarantine and other restrictions, keeping away the foreign pilgrims who usually throng Jerusalem during Holy Week. Last year we told people to stay at home,” said Wadie Abunassar, an advisor to church leaders in the Holy Land.

Source: Los Angeles Times April 02, 2021 11:24 UTC