Ruptly
"Christians in Damascus marked Palm Sunday according to the Eastern calendar on Sunday, holding subdued services after a wave of sectarian attacks in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah. Footage from the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows (Al-Zaytoun) shows bells ringing as clergy and worshippers walk in procession, reciting hymns and prayers. “It’s an upsetting and heartbreaking situation. Our children spent an entire month preparing… but all of that was cancelled due to the ongoing events,” said worshipper Rima Al-Hajj. “Things are a bit tense and unstable. Some people feel sad, others are scared. Usually, there’s a big crowd here, but many don’t dare come because of the security situation and economic hardships,” added Ghassan Al-Gharbi. Father Fouad Sayegh said the core religious observance continued despite the scaled-back atmosphere. “The celebrations have not stopped. The official celebration is the prayer itself, and the prayer was indeed held. Everyone attended, prayed, and joined us in prayer,” he said. “Everyone knows why it wasn’t held this year. Unfortunately, the situation is tense. We hope that peace will prevail throughout the country… and that all its people will enjoy a just and comprehensive peace,” he added. Churches across Syria had announced the cancellation of public festivities, including scout parades and musical performances, limiting observances to prayers inside churches in an act of 'silent solidarity' with residents of Suqaylabiyah in the western Hama countryside. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the town experienced security tensions after an assault by armed, masked men, involving vandalism of shops and attacks on civilians. Palm Sunday marks the end of Lent and commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by crowds carrying palm branches. It is observed on the Sunday before Easter."
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