JERUSALEM, APR 23 (ZENIT.org).- The profession of faith raised in the very place that verified the event that marked human history forever just under 2000 years ago, was an electrifying "Jesus is risen" in this Jubilee Easter in the Holy Land.

    The climax of Holy Week in Jerusalem was the Mass celebrated before the empty tomb, including a triple candle-lit procession around it. In this holy place the liturgy was characterized by the proclamation of all four Gospel narratives of Jesus' Resurrection from four different parts of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, which was overflowing with pilgrims.

    Following the Catholic celebration of Easter, Orthodox faithful, many of whom had come from Cyprus and the Aegean, commemorated Palm Sunday, since they celebrate Holy Week 7 days later. Consequently, in just one day, there were several extraordinary processions: solemn ornaments, standards, and beautiful singing, especially by the Armenians.

    In his Easter homily, when recalling John Paul II's messages during his recent pilgrimage to these lands, Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah said, "Adoring the mystery of Christ together with the inhabitants of this Holy Land, with all believing Jews, Muslims and Druses we, Christians, say that we can conquer the spirit of evil. Here, in this land of the Resurrection, we are called to give testimony of justice and peace." ZE00042306