Orthodox Palm Sunday

Everyone here has said it is too bad I am not going to be in the city for the Orthodox Easter celebrations next Sunday (they follow the Julian Calendar, thus religious holy days are a week behind us). After catching the Palm Sunday processions at the CHS this afternoon, I see what they mean. The Eastern tradition is full of colour, sound, and emotion.

Four traditions -- Greek, Armenian, Syrian and Coptic held processions around the edicule, to the Stone of Unction, and back to the Edicule, competing for space and out-incensing and out-singing each other. It was nothing short of total mayhem. I witnessed one fisticuffs when the Armenian parade cut off the Syrian parade. Security was quick to step in and it was resolved with ritual kisses.

All this made Easter services at the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr see extremely uptight and boring.