VOA标准英语2010-Thousands of Pilgrims Celebrate Easter in

Robert Berger | Jerusalem 04 April 2010

Christians² hold an Easter mass at the Garden Tomb, considered by some Christians to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem, 4 Apr 2010

Easter celebrations in Jerusalem began with a sunrise service at the Garden Tomb, as pilgrims from around the world sang hymns³ of the resurrection.  The garden and ancient tomb carved into a rock are reminiscent of biblical accounts of the place where Jesus was buried.  The faithful faced the empty tomb and proclaimed, "The Lord is risen!"

 

Alex Wheatley came from California in the United States.

"I definitely got just a reconfirmation of things I already knew in my heart, that Jesus Christ lives and that He is my Savior and Redeemer," said Wheatley.

A few hours later, Mass was celebrated⁴ at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher⁵, believed to be the site where Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. 

Fragrant⁶ incense⁷ rose above the ancient, stone tomb of Jesus into a golden rotunda⁸.  It depicts⁹ a burst of light, symbolizing¹⁰ the glory of the resurrection.

Tae Wook Ha is from Seoul, South Korea.

"Well, as a Christian¹ it is a great honor to be here especially on Easter day," he said.  "And all the Christians in Korea dream about coming here on Easter day.  And I am lucky to be here.  It is great."

For Catholics, Easter has been overshadowed by sex-abuse scandals in the Church, and accusations¹¹ Pope Benedict did not do enough to discipline priests who abused children.  But Frank Law of Sydney, Australia said the scandal is mostly hype by the media.

"There are people who sin in any community; we have to forgive those who sin," he said.  "It has got nothing to do with the pope.  He has tried to forgive people for what they have done wrong.  And this is what he has been criticized for."

It was a big turnout, as Eastern Orthodox and Western Churches celebrated Easter on the same day for the first time in years.  And tourism is booming thanks to a lull¹² in violence.
 

1 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

2 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

3 hymns   

n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• At first, they played the hymns and marches familiar to them. 起初他们只吹奏自己熟悉的赞美诗和进行曲。 来自英汉非文学 - 百科语料821
• I like singing hymns. 我喜欢唱圣歌。 来自辞典例句

4 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

5 sepulcher   

n.坟墓

参考例句：

• He said softly,as if his voice were coming from a sepulcher.他幽幽说道，象是从坟墓里传来的声音。
• Let us bend before the venerated sepulcher.让我们在他神圣的墓前鞠躬致敬。

6 fragrant   

adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的

参考例句：

• The Fragrant Hills are exceptionally beautiful in late autumn.深秋的香山格外美丽。
• The air was fragrant with lavender.空气中弥漫薰衣草香。

7 incense   

v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气

参考例句：

• This proposal will incense conservation campaigners.这项提议会激怒环保人士。
• In summer,they usually burn some coil incense to keep away the mosquitoes.夏天他们通常点香驱蚊。

8 rotunda   

n.圆形建筑物；圆厅

参考例句：

• The Capitol at Washington has a large rotunda.华盛顿的国会大厦有一圆形大厅。
• The rotunda was almost deserted today,dotted with just a few tourists.圆形大厅今天几乎没有多少人，只零星散布着几个游客。

9 depicts   

描绘，描画( depict的第三人称单数 )； 描述

参考例句：

• The book vividly depicts French society of the 1930s. 这本书生动地描绘了20 世纪30 年代的法国社会。
• He depicts the sordid and vulgar sides of life exclusively. 他只描写人生肮脏和庸俗的一面。

10 symbolizing   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• This symbol later evolved into a common hieroglyphic symbolizing victory. 这幕场景后来逐渐演化为象征胜利的普通象形文字。 来自时文部分
• Mooncakes reunion, is symbolizing the Mid-Autumn festival will feed. 月饼象征着团圆，是中秋佳节必食之品。 来自互联网

11 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

12 lull   

v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇

参考例句：

• The drug put Simpson in a lull for thirty minutes.药物使辛普森安静了30分钟。
• Ground fighting flared up again after a two-week lull.经过两个星期的平静之后，地面战又突然爆发了。