JERUSALEM (CNS): In a joint Easter message, the heads of Christian communities in Jerusalem noted the encouraging “manifestations of (Christian) solidarity” which have taken place during the Jubilee Year in the Holy City.
“All these events have given witness to the life and presence of the local Christian Church in our land and strengthened hope for our future despite the arduous journey along the pathway of peace,” they said in their message issued on April 18.
Latin rite Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem was among the 13 Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant leaders who issued the message.
Among the events they hailed as heartening were the common opening of the celebrations marking the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s birth by the heads of Churches on December 4 in Bethlehem, the visit of the heads of all the Orthodox Churches in January, and the March pilgrimage by Pope John Paul II.
Now, as the Christian community approaches the commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, Christians have the opportunity to focus their attention on the basic tenets of their Christian faith and to show the world the true meaning of their commitment to Christ, said the leaders in their message.
