(WARREN, MI) Millions of Christians worldwide are celebrating Easter this Sunday, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Several hundred parishioners attended Michigan’s largest Maronite church, Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Warren, for a traditional midnight mass.
Christians celebrate Easter to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion. The resurrection symbolizes his victory over sin and death.
“Easter always means renewing our faith. This season is very important to us. A new person is being born inside of us,” said Samia Deban, a longtime and active St. Sharbel parishioner. “Look a how Jesus suffered for us. During this season, we forgive each other, we repent if we did something wrong, and we always look for a better life with Jesus.”
Chorbishop Alfred Badawi thanked the bishops, clergy, church staff, volunteers, and parishioners for their tireless efforts during Holy Week.
“This is your home. May this parish continue to grow with love, peace, and unity,” Chorbishop Badawi said.
Each year, St. Sharbel expects to serve almost 1,500 parishioners from across the state.
“It was a full house tonight. We’re getting a large crowd who are seeing this church as their home. This is what we’re here for,” said Eli Bassil. “This is the most important holiday for us. Christmas is commercialized by the media, but the value of Christ is still strong in Easter.”
Easter Sunday is a day for Lebanese believers to spend with their families and carry out rituals, including exchanging colored eggs and cracking them open.
Festive celebrations are preceded by a long period of Lent, which this year started on March 3. From that date until April 19, believers abstained from meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products while spending time in prayer.
“The faith is continuous – it’s through the whole year. It’s not only through Easter or Palm Sunday. We have to keep Jesus in our heart for as long as our heart beats,” said Deban.
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