The Historic Easter Christian March and Parade in Cuba

Santa Clara is the capital city of the Cuban province of Villa Clara. It is located in the most central region of the province and almost in the most central region of the country, reports Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST Ministries.

And on Easter Day (April 4, 2010), a unique, historic and spontaneous Christian March and Parade took place in this city which was attended by hundreds of local Christians.

An ANS correspondent in Cuba told me, “It was unbelievable and something I never thought I would see in my lifetime. It was historic. He is Risen and is rising in the streets of Cuba!”

Our correspondent added that to see the expressions of those on the street, as the parade passed by, showed “expressions of incredulity, become aghast, dissolve into a guarded smile, and then unbridled smiles and tears galore!”

The parade came about, he said, when a group of Santa Clara evangelical pastors began meeting for a prayer breakfast during the past year. Last month, one of them made the bold suggestion - “Why don't we announce Cristo Vive (Christ is Alive) in the streets this year?”

The contact went on to say, “Silently, they bowed and prayed, seeking direction. It was agreed among them to say nothing to no one ... no one. Many such requests to authorities over the years have always been denied, and brought recrimination and problems.

“But then, on Easter Sunday at 9:00 a.m. one of the nine pastors suddenly suggested to his congregation – ‘Let's tell our neighborhood from the streets that Cristo Vive this Resurrection Morning.’

“Almost instantly, the small congregation surged out into their street heading toward a nearby church. When that congregation heard the approaching group, their pastor then suggested – ‘Let's join them’ -- and the second group joined, and thus a handful of bold, courageous Cuban Christians - for the first time in the history of the country since Fidel Castro took over, began a 2 km walk through the heart of this city well known for the decisive battle fought during the Revolution.

“Within half an hour, nine church congregations had joined the march, ending at the National Parque in the center of town...”

Our contact said that best estimates were between 2,500 and 3,000 Christians participated.

“It was peaceful with no violence whatsoever. Not a policeman or soldier is seen anywhere; no attempts were made to hinder or stop the jubilant marchers,” he added.

“A few of the pastors spoke briefly, then Pastor Homero Carbonell, invited them to his Baptist church a few blocks away.”

Video footage taken inside shows hundreds spilling into the sanctuary, as the clock shows 10:05 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010. Joyful singing begins ... musicians spontaneously take the stage and the unified singing is absolutely breathtaking. A small girl finds her only seat on the stage; no one attempts to move her.

“Then one of the nine pastors steps to microphone, attempts to quiet the crowd of some 800-1,000. His words are calming yet so powerful,” ANS was told. “He is followed by most of the other eight pastors, including Brother Noriberto Carbonell, the host pastor. His words became the ringing cry of Cuban Christians.”

The footage was first released this past Sunday, April 11th, onto a memory stick of a prominent evangelical church leader. Within an hour he shared with me and five others in a small room. As the images and sound filled the room, these veteran pastors and leaders were aghast at what God had done in their midst.

A Baptist pastor, and president of local seminary, exclaimed: “Brothers - this is historic!”

Our correspondent said, “Never has there even been a public display by Christians in Cuba. Always, requests for anything similar were instantly denied - often with recrimination and harshness.

“As this reporter left Havana yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, the news was sweeping across the country - word of mouth and exchange of thumb drive memory sticks. I left seven such with key church leaders in Western and Central Cuba, to aid and assist spreading the word.

“By Monday, Santa Clara authorities summoned my friend. He was harangued and threatened, and commanded to fire all participating pastors under his leadership. ‘What law was broken?’ he asked.

“The authorities silence was proof that indeed, no Cuban law forbids such gatherings. It's always been the non-written, totalitarian administration that for 52 years has kept the Christians under thumb.

“The video shows every Christians' face - no mask - no coverings; smiling, joyful, and enjoying this first-ever freedom. And this unprecedented, unedited footage will show the world the depth of Christian bravery and bold witness as nothing ever has before!

“Of course, no mention has been made in GRANMA, the official daily newspaper; nor on government radio/TV. As one leading pastor in Cienfuegos said Monday – ‘They will ignore it publicly, while seeking retribution and revenge in private.’”

He added, “May we hold up these brave brothers and sisters, who marched in Santa Clara, declaring CHRIST IS RISEN -- CHRIST IS ALIVE!”

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TAGS: Cuba Santa Clara Easter Christian March Easter Day Cuban Christians Fidel Castro

[04/18/2010]

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