Christian pilgrims celebrate Easter in JerusalemApril 6, 2012 - 13:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Hundreds of Christian pilgrims began marking Easter in Jerusalem Friday, April 6 tracing Jesus Christ's last journey to his crucifixion along the Via Dolorosa ('Way of Grief,' or 'Way of Suffering') in the Old City, M&C reported citing DPA. Led by Franciscan Monks, the pilgrims, some carrying crosses including full-scale replicas, stopped to pray at each Station of the Cross, which commemorate specific incidents which happened to Christ on the way to the crucifixion. The Via Dolorosa has fourteen stations, the last nine of which are in the Church of the Holy Sepulcre, where, according to tradition, Christ was crucified and then buried. Easter commemorations had begun some hours earlier, with a procession and mass, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, led by Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal. Twal was accompanied by the Jerusalem-based consul generals of France, Spain and Italy, representing their Catholic countries, as well as a number of priests. Israel meanwhile has placed its forces on high alert, ahead of both the Easter celebrations, and the Jewish Passover festival, which marks the biblical exodus from Egypt and begins at sunset. Heightened security was in place all over the country, a police spokesman said, with the emphasis on public places, and a large police presence in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Israeli military also closed off crossing points to and from the West Bank until Saturday night. However, a military statement said Israel has allowed 500 of the Gaza Strip's tiny Christian community to enter Israel or the West Bank, and has authorized permits into Israel for 20,000 West Bank Christians. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | About 173 million drams and more than 30 beneficiary funds. "The Power of One Dram" is 4 years old In June 2020, the exclusive joint corporate social responsibility initiative of Idram and IDBank "The Power of One Dram" was launched. CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. |