CLEVELAND — A sanctuary is meant to be a place of refuge or safety.
For two years, many people's homes became their sanctuary as they worshipped virtually. Now, as they return back to worship, they are finding refuge with each other, able to mourn together.
"We have lost more in the past two years [that] probably collectively in the past 40 years I've been here at this church," Dr. Larry L. Macon Sr., senior pastor of Mt. Zion church in Oakwood Village, said.
Macon has a flock of about 5,000 members at Mt. Zion. As they return, several are missing, lost to COVID-19.
Also missing? The closure of a funeral service. Many tried to cope with the death of a loved one alone.
"Many people are still stuck in stages of grief," Macon explained. "There's still people who are angry about losing loved ones, family are still lonely and going through struggles."
Tuesday night, people of all faiths found sanctuary in Unity at the Music Hall in Cleveland, with a service and vigil hosted by area faith leaders. It was not only to mourn those who are lost, but to celebrate those who overcame, and a community that's still standing two years later.
"A friend of mine had COVID, and she was in the hospital for over a month on the ventilator," Mt. Zion parishioner Shirley Clayborne said. "She came out of it, and the doctors looked at her and said, 'You are a miracle.'"
You can watch the entire service in the player below: