Christians will be prevented from congregating for the Easter service, whether this coming Sunday — as in the case of Bitar and fellow Catholic worshippers — or a week later on April 19, in line with the Orthodox Easter. Bitar, who is in her 60s, said it was “depressing” that she would not be able to celebrate Easter in church. Last year, more than 25,000 people gathered near the Holy Sepulchre to attend Palm Sunday mass, which marks the start of the Easter week. This Sunday, Easter Mass will be broadcast on television and on social networks. Only six monks would be present in the church, Shomali said.

Source: Manila Times April 10, 2020 16:17 UTC