‘It means everything to us’: Australian families grateful to mark Orthodox Easter with gatherings
For the Bestawros family in Sydney, Coptic Orthodox Easter this year is about reconnecting with family and feeling grateful. “We all got shivers [of joy],” Magy Bestawros said as she helped to prepare the meal for three generations of her family. Year’s Orthodox Easter is more celebratory compared to last year. ” src=”https://sl.sbs.com.au/public/image/file/ce55817c-e512-44ef-b5cb-fc6385e6a55a” alt=” Magy Bestawros said the atmosphere for this year’s Orthodox Easter is more celebratory compared to the previous year. ” width=”700″ height=”525″ />
“We went without this last year, as did many Australians and people who celebrate many different faiths.
“So for our family to come together meant everything to us.”
Each family brought a plate of food made with their own hands. With everyone in the same room together, they all took a moment to reflect and offer gratitude, Ms. Bestawros said.
“For us, breaking bread is the biggest example of showing love.
“Everyone here has come in with a plate of food they have labored with their hand because it is a labor of love.” And while Christians worldwide mark Easter on a different date, there is agreement on the importance of remembering the date of Jesus’s death and resurrection.
“It is the most significant celebration in the Coptic calendar,” Ms Bestawros said.
“For me, Easter is about hope and love.”
Orthodox Easter for people from Eastern European communities, such as the Greeks and Russians, comes between one and five weeks after the Catholic and Protestant Easter.
The date discrepancy comes from the Eastern churches using the revised Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar.
Ms. Bestawros’ father, Harby Mansour, said having three generations in one household is grateful.
“My children, my grandchildren, my brother and sister from my wife – we all come together.
“That is the most lovely day – to have all my grandchildren around me. It is the most lovely day. I love it.”
Thousands of Australians attended services over the weekend, with religious gatherings allowed nationwide without COVID-19 restrictions.
Even in the Perth and Peel regions of Western Australia, places of worship could reopen at 100 percent capacity, though people had to wear masks.
All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in the Sydney suburb of Belmore on Saturday evening was packed to overflowing. At the same time, at least 5,000 people were reported to have attended the Holy Friday Easter service at St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Kingsford, in the city’s east. Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny Morrison, at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Resurrection of the Christ.” src=”https://sl.sbs.com.au/public/image/file/d9c0029f-c3e8-4c4e-b156-8c446cc679e2″ alt=” Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny Morrison, at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Resurrection of the Christ.” width=”700″ height=”394″ />
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Resurrection of the Christ in Sydney’s Kogarah also saw a large turnout at its Saturday evening service, where Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in attendance with his wife, Jenny.
He paid tribute to the resilience of the community.
“Across Australia, the Orthodox Christian community has shown great strength and unity in the face of great challenges over the past year,” he said.
“It was lovely to see families and loved ones coming together once again to celebrate Orthodox Easter and also looking forward with renewed optimism and hope for the future.”
