OTTAWA -- With churches across Ottawa closed on the holiest weekend of the year for Christians, many congregations are streaming their services online.
The COVID-19 pandemic is keeping people physically apart. Gatherings of more than five are prohibited in Ontario and that includes religious gatherings. Ottawa's top doctor is urging people to remain physically apart this long weekend, even if it is a holiday.
Nevertheless, the faithful across the Capital will have places to turn online this Easter weekend to be together spiritually, through YouTube, Facebook Live, Zoom, and other video services.
Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast tells CTV Morning Live thousands of people are viewing their sermons online.
"We've been posting pre-recorded masses and we've had five thousand visits each weekend," Prendergast said. "Maybe even this weekend we'll surpass that."
Here's a list of local churches that will have Easter prayers and services online.
Did we miss your church? Email us and we'll add it to the list: ottawaweb@bellmedia.ca
The Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa
Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
South Mountain, Heckston, Inkerman and Hallville United Churches
St. Monica Parish in Nepean
St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Kanata
Calvary Christian Reformed Church
Merivale United Church and Fallowfield United Church
Cedarview Alliance in Barrhaven
Trinity-St. Andrew's United Church in Renfrew
Grace-St. Andrew’s United Church in Arnprior
First United Church - Good Friday, Easter Sunday
St. Patrick Parish Fallowfield
Grace United Church in Gananoque: Good Friday, Easter Sunday
Divine Infant Parish in Orleans
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Gananoque
Holy Redeemer Parish in Kanata
Grace Presbyterian Church in Orleans
