Vignettes from Holy Week

I know this is a tad late, but Holy Week was a wonderfully intense and intensive learning experience for me.

Abuna Butros cleans out the baptismal font on Great Monday ready for the community's walk through the Passion Week, or 'Week of Pains' as it is in Arabic.

Early Thursday morning and Abuna Butros dons a black stole to read excerpts of the Passion narrative.

A child wears clothes associated with St Kyrillos. Syriac Orthodox parents dedicate their children to God, often in the name of a particular saint whose characteristics they desire for their child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maunday Thursday, awaiting the Archbishop.

The whole Syriac Orthodox community gathers for the Good Friday vigil.

 

 

 

A Syriac scout prepares for Sabt-an-Nur, the Holy Saturday festival in which the Holy Fire arrives from Jerusalem.

Suryani (Syriac-Aramean) pride on the morning of Sabt-an-Nur.

Greek Orthodox march celebrating the arrival of Holy Fire.

Syriac Orthodox scouts march on Holy Saturday.

Easter morning vigil, about 12.30 AM.

Easter Tuesday, celebrating the feast of Mar Dodo with customary rice pudding!