Increasing COVID-19 community cases as well as restrictions on church congregation numbers did not stop Samoans from marking Easter Sunday.

Churches around Samoa held services early Sunday morning with some starting their worship at their normal start times, but ensured they finished prior to or by 12pm (local time) to ensure their members returned home before the 2pm curfew.

The country is currently under Alert Level 2 with local authorities last week announcing approval for the resumption of church services but limited to 30 people or less.

The Apia Protestant Church was one of the churches that held services on Sunday which was led by Reverend Nuuausala Siaosi.

In message to the congregation, Reverend Nuuausala said Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified and died but rose from the dead on the third day.

He said the greatest morning mentioned in the bible is when our Lord Jesus Christ conquered death and the grave.

“There was never a morning like that before, nor there will be any like it again,” he said. 

Reverend Nuuausala said 2,000 years later the message for humanity has not changed.

“We still need to hear the good news that Jesus has risen from the dead and he is alive today and there is hope for tomorrow," Reverend Nuuausala said. “A person who is trapped in sin and sees no avenue of escape, needs to know that Jesus made a way to set you free.

“You need to know that when you come to Jesus for salvation or for help, that he will be there to hear you, to save you especially to help you through this life.” 

Reverend Nuuausala said everyone needs to know that Jesus is alive.

The New Wine Worship Centre Christian Church also held a resurrection service on Sunday.

Some of the Police officers and staff members, who were isolated at the various sites, also came together to celebrate Easter Sunday through prayer, songs and bible storytelling hosted at the Ministry of Police and Prisons Headquarters. 

The service was attended by the Acting Police and Prisons Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo and Deputy Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Keti.

Under the Emergency Orders children below the age of 12 are prohibited from attending any church service with only those aged 12 and above permitted to attend.

Members of the public attending church are asked to show a COVID-19 vaccination card, observe social distancing and wear face masks for the entire duration of the service.

All persons attending church worship and gatherings are also required to observe safety rules as advised by the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) or the National Emergency Operation Center (N.E.O.C.).

Ministry of Health (MOH) data released last Thursday showed 281 new community cases with cumulative total of 5,074 cases recorded since 17 March 2022 as well as 10 deaths.