As many countries face a new surge of COVID-19, SAT-7’s special Easter programming in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish helps viewers find new hope and life at the foot of the Cross.
“This Easter, when so many churches remain unable to meet – whether we are praying at home or connecting to worship services on our televisions or online – Iet us give thanks for our risen and living Lord and all His provision. Let us give thanks that even as heartache continues, God goes before us. He never leaves us, and His reign goes on forever.” – Rita El-Mounayer, SAT-7 CEO
It is this message of joy and thanksgiving in the new life we have in Christ that SAT-7 will share with its viewers this Easter, as viewers in the Middle East and North Africa live with continued uncertainty, economic struggles, and isolation. On SAT-7 ARABIC, a special series presented by Archbishop Youssef Souief, Maronite Archbishop of Tripoli-Lebanon, has already begun airing. Jesus is Our Sacrifice, Jesus is our Hope will encourage viewers through Holy Week to Western Easter on 4 April, taking them from the Old Testament through to the Resurrection.
In addition, while many churches remain closed in the region, the channel will share Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday services from Lebanon, from both Resurrection Church in Beirut and the Maronite Cathedral in Bkerké.
The dead are alive!
A special programme from SAT-7’s new team in Tunis, opens with a startling insight from the times of Roman persecution of Christians. Forced to meet in secret, those early Tunisian Christians would gather for prayers and worship in graveyards, not only for their safety but because they believed that the dead in Christ were alive. Easter in Tunisia is already drawing thousands of views where it is streaming online and messages of encouragement from Christians elsewhere in the Arab world.
On SAT-7 PARS, Farsi-speaking viewers are supported to refocus on Christ through Way of the Cross, a 13-part programme that explores the heart of our faith. “This Passion Week, we are talking about why Jesus needed to go to the Cross,” says Presenter Mo Sanavi. “In fact, we started the program with this: ‘Christianity without the Cross is like a forest without trees. If there is no Crucifixion, there is no Christianity. Our redemption, our freedom, our forgiveness: it is paid at the Cross.”
Messages for Iran
“Please pray for the programme, that when it is broadcast, it will touch people’s hearts, and bring every one of us to the Cross,” he continues. In addition to Way of the Cross, SAT-7 PARS will share Easter messages from 15 Iranian church leaders.
SAT-7 TÜRK will share a special message from the Patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox Church. And across all SAT-7’s channels, including SAT-7 KIDS, regular weekly live shows will have a special focus on Easter.
SAT-7’s viewers are also sharing encouraging words with our teams and with one another. “Christ’s death is the most amazing and emotive topic – the hardest and most painful of deaths on the cross,” says one SAT-7 PARS viewer. “All death is sad and grievous and is accompanied by mourning and weeping. But the death of Jesus Christ is met with joy and a celebration of victory. Why is it so? Because He rose from the dead and opened a way through death that leads to everlasting life. Hallelujah! What a great privilege to be in Christ because we too will rise with Him!”
On behalf of all SAT-7’s teams, may you know the great joy and hope of Christ this Easter!