Independence Day 2021

After more than a year - during which gatherings were not allowed due to the restrictions arising from the corona pandemic, on the 73rd birthday of the State of Israel, on Thursday 15^th of April, a wonderful warm and sunny day, some members of the Jaffa community gathered at St John in the Wilderness Monastery.

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by our sweet Jasmine, accompanied by a lovely dog named Virus who never stopped croaking around us during our stay. Why call it Virus, you’re asking? The responsible of the monastery received it as soon as the corona pandemic began, and he found it appropriate to mention the fact in the dog's name.

The peace and quiet atmosphere in the place offered a wonderful ground for getting to know the guests who joined our community. After the arrival of the last congregant, we entered the chapel for the daily Mass, celebrated by Father Apolinary, during which we thanked the Lord who made this long-awaited meeting possible.

At the end of the prayer, we gathered in the courtyard of the monastery to hold the traditional meal. All those present participated in the preparation: our women prepared the salads, our men settled on the roasting of the meat brought by the members of the community. Even our little Marcus participated by inflaming the fire with an electric blower.

After the traditional blessing for the food, we ate together, drank wine and went on a tour around the complex. Difficult to describe the family feeling that accompanied the entire event, showing once again how the community is one body, the resurrected body of the Messiah. In the evening, we all went back to our houses thanking the Lord for allowing us this exciting meeting.