San Diego Christians mark Easter with prayers for peace as war in Iran escalates

People of several denominations celebrated the holiday with a message of hope and renewal.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:37pm

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As the war in Iran intensifies, Christians across San Diego County marked Easter Sunday with prayers for peace and renewal. Parishioners gathered at churches like Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and for the 109th annual Easter sunrise service at Mount Helix, united in worship and a belief that God can bring peace through His people.

Why it matters

The Easter holiday is a cornerstone of Christian faith, symbolizing hope, rebirth and new beginnings. As the war in Iran continues, San Diego's Christian community used this sacred time to come together in prayer for peace and healing, reflecting a broader desire for an end to global conflict.

The details

At Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, parishioners celebrated mass and sacraments like baptisms, with the Rev. Hung Nguyen telling the congregation that the message of Easter resonates in every aspect of life. Across the county, hundreds gathered at Mount Helix for the 109th annual Easter sunrise service hosted by Legacy Church, where Senior Pastor Thomas Lengyel said Christians believe 'God wants to bring peace, and we believe He wants to bring it through His people.'

  • The Easter Sunday services took place on April 5, 2026.
  • The Mount Helix Easter sunrise service is a long-standing tradition that began in 1917.

The players

Rev. Hung Nguyen

A priest at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Logan Heights who delivered a message of trust and renewal to his congregation on Easter Sunday.

Julianna Morales

A parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church who felt a sense of emotional release and renewal on Easter Sunday.

Anthony Jimenez

A parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church who described feeling a 'rush of happiness and awakeness' on Easter Sunday.

Thomas Lengyel

The senior pastor at Legacy Church, which hosted the 109th annual Easter sunrise service at Mount Helix.

Legacy Church

The church that has hosted the annual Easter sunrise service at Mount Helix since 1917.

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What they’re saying

“'In our joys, our sorrows, our struggles, God is saying trust. You look amazing, you look beautiful.'”

— Rev. Hung Nguyen, Priest, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

“'I feel like a weight has been lifted. I'm happy. I feel like God's with me and leading me the (right) way.'”

— Julianna Morales, Parishioner, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

“'Like a rush of happiness and awakeness. I feel all the bad, everything that's been built up, just releases.'”

— Anthony Jimenez, Parishioner, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

“'Look, God's dwelling place is now among the people.'”

— Thomas Lengyel, Senior Pastor, Legacy Church

“'As Christians, we believe that the world ultimately is a broken place. People are lost and looking for hope. We believe that God wants to bring peace, and we believe He wants to bring it through His people.'”

— Thomas Lengyel, Senior Pastor, Legacy Church

The takeaway

The Easter celebrations in San Diego reflected a broader desire among the Christian community for an end to global conflict and a belief that faith and prayer can help bring about peace, even in the midst of uncertain times.