Buona Pasqua (Happy Easter)

In Italy, Holy Week is a big deal.  We joined in the celebration.

Today, we attended an Easter service at our church, St. James Episcopal Church in Florence.  It was a lovely service attended by many members of the church and many more visiting tourists.  The church was brightly lit and filled with flowers.  It was a sunny day and light streamed through the colorful stained glass windows.

St. James Episcopal Church in Florence (Easter 2017)

On the walk home, we passed by the Florence cathedral and stopped for a photo.

In front of the Florence cathedral

We noticed the cathedral's main door was open.  It is only opened for special occasions, such as Easter.  At that moment, the Archbishop of Florence, Giuseppe Cardinal Betori, walked through the main doors on his way to his residence nearby.  We took a couple of photos.

The Florence cathedral's main door open for Easter

  

The Archbishop of Florence leaving the cathedral

Buona Pasqua!

P.S.  After the Easter service, the church hosted a prosecco toast on the church's portico. No joke.  Plus, there was a buffet with typical Tuscan food.  Only in Italy.