SIRACUSA, ITALY

It is Good Friday in Siracusa, Sicily. In the shadow of Mt. Etna, the streets are mostly empty, and the mood is somber. Some markets are open, but the shoppers are there to get food for dinner, not for fun. The Cathedral has two unusual presentations:
• the celebrant’s huge chair is overturned
• the altar of repose (covered with beautiful pink flowers) is flanked by a display of broken furniture and toys and ripped clothing.
The tile floor gleams; the ceiling glows, and two opposing pulpits (who knows why??) flank Bill. The original Doric columns of a temple of Athena – from the 5th century BC – are incorporated into the cathedral walls and visible inside and out.

Now we return to the ship for our own Good Friday service. Like yesterday’s Holy Communion, this service will be ecumenical with a broad-minded and delightful Roman Catholic monsignor participating. God is with us.