Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, Israel, remains closed amid Iran war security measures

Israeli authorities closed Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher as part of wider closures in the Old City for security reasons. The closures began on Feb. 28, when Israel and the United States launched attacks against Iran.

A statement from the head of Israel’s Civil Administration said that “all holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, will remain closed … for security reasons in light of the current tensions in the region.”

Joseph Hazboun, regional director of the office of CNEWA/Pontifical Mission for Palestine in Jerusalem, said the decision was framed as a precaution against potential attacks and as a way to prevent mass gatherings during a period of heightened alert.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry reported on X on March 12 that a missile had struck “a few hundred meters from the Old City, the Western Wall, al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.” The ministry added, “Protecting lives and worshipper’s safety come first.”

Hazboun said that although other churches remained open, he expected the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which contains the tomb of Jesus, to remain closed “until the end of the war and the cessation of rocket fire from Iran on Israel.” Holy Week begins March 29, and he said he expects services for Holy Week and Easter to be celebrated at the church with religious and clergy only, as happened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Holy Sepulchre is governed by the Status Quo, a 19th-century agreement that governs Jerusalem’s holy places. The church holds services for Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic, Syriac and Ethiopian Orthodox worshippers. Sami el-Yousef, chief executive officer of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, said church leaders intended to meet with a police representative “to impress on them the need to allow Easter celebrations, even if at a reduced capacity, similar to the pandemic restrictions.” He added, “We shall see whether that will bear any results.” Seeking dialogue with the authorities over worship is a practical step toward peacemaking (Matthew 5:9).

Hazboun said that on March 15, “the 27th of Ramadan and Laylat al-Qadr — an especially significant evening for Muslims in Jerusalem and Palestine — the Israelis sealed off the Old City to prevent Muslims from entering and reaching al-Aqsa (Mosque).”

He said that “thousands ended up observing the night near the gates of the Old City. In addition, even residents of the Old City, including Christians, were not permitted to leave.”

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