REQUIEM MASS HELD IN MOSCOW FOR THE VICTIMS OF EASTER SUNDAY MASSACRE

On Tuesday May 21 one month after the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, a Mass for its victims was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary, the largest Cathedral in Russia, by Archbishop Paolo Pezzi, Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of the Virgin Mother in Moscow, in the presence of another Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio to the Russian Federation.

The Mass was attended by the Heads, Deputy Chief of Missions and other diplomatic officers from over 33 countries, including the Ambassadors of India, Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Palestine, Bahrain, the Charge d’affairs of the USA, the Minister Plenipotentiary of China, representatives of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Russia-sri Lanka Friendship Society, leading Moscow universities, Russian media and business representatives, and members of the Sri Lankan

community in Moscow.

The audience of over 150 people, consisted of representatives of different faiths, nationalities, and social standing, brought together in one place to pay tribute to those, who lost their lives in a peaceful country, on a peaceful day of one of the most joyful Christian holidays in an attack against our humanity.

In one of the most touching moments of the service, the participants of the mass laid flowers before the sign which simply read, Easter Sunday Massacre. Sri Lanka. 21.04.2019.

One carnation flower each was placed by every person near the altar on a piece of cloth of the colour of the National Flag of Sri Lanka. Some knelt down before the sign and all of them were one at that particular moment in their lives.