Christmas lockdown: how Christians celebrate the main Catholic holiday
What year is Christmas. The Pope celebrates in the Vatican without parishioners, people accept and send congratulations on the appearance of the baby Jesus online, and never visit each other. COVID-19, if not stolen the holiday from Christians, made it very modest. MIR 24 correspondent Anastasia Likhodedova learned about the lockdown of Christmas.
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is like a ghost town. Empty streets, hotels, shops and usually crowded squares. The place where Jesus Christ was born was closed to tourists on the eve of the holiday. The festive mass was held in a closed format; not everyone was allowed in the church. And those who were caught had to keep their distance and wear masks. The clergy were also in the means of protection. For everyone else, the holiday service was broadcast on social networks.
Christmas lockdown: how Christians celebrate the main Catholic holiday
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Vatican
Almost alone he met Christmas and the Vatican. There were a limited number of people in St. Peter's Basilica. The solemn service was rescheduled two hours earlier so that the faithful would return home before curfew. Earlier than usual, the Pope addressed the traditional message to the City and the World. He urged everyone to remember about humanity.
Paris
Notre Dame Cathedral sounded in France. A Christmas concert was held in Notre Dame de Paris, which was damaged by fire. The choristers were in construction suits and helmets. The cathedral is still under reconstruction. The audience was not allowed inside, but not only Parisians could hear the concert. It was broadcast on French television.
Greece
In Greece, no more than ten people could attend services, and no more than 25 in cathedrals. In the Philippines, mass was crowded during the festive masses. True, the believers were sitting a half meters apart, and they were allowed into the cathedrals only in protective screens.
“Of course, this Christmas is different from the previous ones, but perhaps now is the time when we need to be closer to God. Maybe this is even our chance to get closer to him. I pray that this pandemic will end sooner, ”said Filipino resident Dave de los Martires.
Iraq
And in Iraq, although they limited the number of believers inside the church, they organized several masses so that as many people as possible could attend them on Christmas.
