Founded in 1991, the Mar Musa community made its home in Deir Mar Musa, a monastery built in the sixth century. The community is dedicated to hospitality and interreligious dialogue. Since their founding, and especially over the last seven years, they have been trying to support the local populations of Christians and Muslims.
This year, photographer Cécile Massie joined them during their celebrations of Holy Week and Easter.
Deir Mar Musa el Habashi
Morning prayer
Brother Boutros teaches Mickeal, a young man visiting from Homs for a few days, to read the morning prayer.
Father Jihad leads the Palm Sunday procession, which begins out in the wadi (valley) and makes its way toward the monastery.
After the first scriptures for Palm Sunday have been read in the wadi, the Bible is brought into the monastery, symbolizing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
Brother Boutros just before entering into the monastery for the second part of the Palm Sunday celebration.
Holy Thursday: Sisters Freidericke and Carol participate in the Washing of the Feet.
Good Friday: The Way of the Cross
Good Friday
The Descent from the Cross: the statue of Christ’s body will be brought back into the monastery.
Easter Vigil, 4 a.m. The first text is read in the dark before mass is celebrated.
The invitation to singing at the end of mass
At the end of mass, the community celebrates with improvised songs.
Breakfast on Easter Sunday
See the rest of this series on Cécile Massie’s website.