Easter Initiative 2021

The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (WCC-EAPPI) sets out to connect the Biblical narrative with current realities in Palestine and Israel, to follow footsteps of Jesus, spotlighting current realities under occupation.

While Christians around the globe prepare to celebrate Easter, military occupation continues to severely impact communities in the same places where Jesus himself is said to have walked in the Easter story. 

Pray, learn, advocate – inviting reflection and action on four stations

“This is truly an ecumenical initiative, beginning with Holy Week for Christians in the Western tradition, and running all the way through the Easter celebrations of our sisters and brothers in the Eastern traditions,” explains WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca. 

Find the following resources on the WCC-EAPPI webpage link:

Bible studies - Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus: 

• Jericho - Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, 30 March 2021
• The road through the wilderness - Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, 30 March 2021
• Bethany: The last homely house - Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, 30 March 2021 
• The Mount of Olives - Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, 30 March 2021
• Jerusalem - Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, 30 March 2021

Feature stories:

• Will children ever have safe access to education in Khan Al-Ahmar?
• East Jerusalem: Denied citizenship and the vote
• Bedouins of Pope's Hill flight eviction
• Easter brings uncertainty for Palestinians who want to worship at Holy Sepulchre

Four Stations:

• Road from Jericho to Jerusalem - At the time that Jesus travelled on his way to Jerusalem there were communities along the road.
• Mount of Olives - The Mount of Olives, in East Jerusalem, is where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
• Bethany and Jabal al Baba - From Bethany Jesus rode to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. 
• Holy Sepulchre - The Holy Sepulchre is said to be the place where Jesus’ empty tomb and the 3 crosses were located 2000 years ago.

Find out more about the Easter Initiative