After two years of war, gathering for Easter at Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza felt like a celebration — but there was also sadness.
“The number of those we lost is what truly saddens us, whether they were our Muslim or Christian brothers,” says Milad Ayad, a Christian from Gaza. “It is deeply painful.”
Yet George Anton, operations manager of the Latin Patriarchate in Gaza, spoke of the sense of relative stability after the Israel-Hamas ceasefire that took place last fall.
“This year is different,” he said.
“After two years of war and devastation, this celebration is indescribable,” he added.
During the Easter Vigil Mass on 4 April, Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family, said the message of Easter is simple: hope.
“We hope that world leaders will give us and give the Palestinian people in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza the chance to live with dignity and in unity hand in hand, Muslims and Christians, and every human being, even those who may not believe.”
Watch the video below, then read more about Holy Family’s Easter celebration: In Gaza, Hope at Easter.