Holy Land Churches Keep Easter Traditions on Smaller Scale in Jerusalem, Israel, Amid War and Blockades

Easter celebrations in the Holy Land are expected to take place under a difficult and emotional set of conditions as war continues in Gaza. Christians in Gaza cannot take full part in Easter rituals because of the blockade and closed crossings. Many Christians in the West Bank also face significant hurdles in obtaining Israeli permits to enter Jerusalem.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced the Holy Week schedule, which is presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Holy Week began on April 13 with Palm Sunday and is to culminate on April 20 with Easter Mass and a procession inside the church.

The absence of pilgrims and tourists for a second consecutive year has dealt what one report describes as a painful economic blow to Christian families who rely on religious tourism. In Bethlehem and Jerusalem, markets are nearly stagnant, and olive wood carving workshops are struggling with unsold inventory.

A separate report from Vatican News describes an agreement announced by the religious authorities of the Latin Patriarchate and the Holy Land Custody to ensure Easter celebrations at the Church of the Resurrection. According to that report, the arrival of church representatives has been guaranteed with the agreement of the Israeli police. The arrangement allows rituals and ceremonies to be held and ancient Easter traditions to be preserved at the church.

The same report says restrictions on public gatherings remain in place because of the current state of war. It also states that heads of state and officials expressed clear positions and support after the events, and that faith is a high human value shared by Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, and others.

The Church hopes that efforts will continue to find arrangements for prayers in holy places that balance safety and religious observance. It continues direct and continuous dialogue with the authorities, including the police, a practice of peacemaking (Romans 12:18).