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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NAPSI)-A new Web site is credited with breaking down many practical obstacles-time, cost of travel, concerns about security-to visiting one of the holiest churches in the world.
It gives millions of Christians the opportunity to pray, light their own candles and receive a personal blessing at the famed Annunciation Church in Nazareth, via the Internet.
Worshippers place a prayer request through the site and choose a time for the service to take place. At the designated time, a priest from the Annunciation Church in the Holy Land lights a candle and offers a personal prayer on the user's behalf. The site, called Mirezo ("my prayer" in Spanish), then lets worshippers watch the live ceremony in real time over the Web at www.mirezo.com.
An e-mailable version of the ceremony can also be saved and then shared with friends and family. Funds raised will be donated to the Church as well as to local Christian communities.
The ritual use of candles has long played an integral role in Christianity, and it is considered especially beneficial to light candles at the holiest churches.
A Timely Beginning
The site was officially launched during the Feast of the Annunciation, the Christian holiday celebrating the revelation that the Virgin Mary would conceive Jesus.
The Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth is the site where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary went daily to draw water, as well as the place where her immaculate pregnancy was first revealed to her by the angel Gabriel. Scholars say that in many respects, the very essence of Christianity was created at the site. As a result, many worshippers travel great distances for the opportunity to pray and light candles at this church.
"Some of my fondest memories growing up in Nazareth took place when my father would bring me to visit the Holy Church of the Annunciation," said Said Salem, Mirezo's manager. "I want to give this same opportunity to millions of people around the world regardless of their location."
The site has the blessing of the Bishop of Nazareth and the support of local churches that favor giving worshippers the chance to connect with their spirituality.
For more information, visit www.mirezo.com.
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