Jerusalem, March 31, 2026
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem has announced that celebrations for Holy Week and Pascha will go ahead this year, limited to religious rites only, without processions or festive gatherings.
In a statement dated March 30, the Patriarchate said it was “limiting celebrations from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday to religious rites only, in recognition of the solemnity of the occasion, respect for human suffering, and preservation of the sanctity of these blessed days.”
This marks the third consecutive year that the holy season has been observed under wartime conditions in the Holy Land.
The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns about access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which has been closed to parishioners and pilgrims since the outbreak of the war with Iran, though clergy have continued to serve there. The situation drew wider attention after the Latin Patriarch was prevented from entering the church on Sunday, though that matter was subsequently resolved.
The question of whether the Holy Fire ceremony could take place on Holy Saturday has been of particular concern to Christians worldwide. Israeli Police have now indicated the ceremony may proceed, but have set out three conditions:
● completion of ongoing infrastructure and renovation works inside the church
● the presence of an accessible shelter near the church in the event of an attack
● and a comprehensive security clearance covering the full infrastructure of the site
A final decision is expected tomorrow.
Attendance inside the church will be capped at 50 people, and entry will require pre-approved permits.
The Patriarchate reaffirmed its role as custodian of the Christian holy sites, stating its commitment to “preserving the Christian presence, safeguarding the sanctity of religious rites, and protecting the status quo arrangements, which serve as a firm guarantee of freedom of worship and the continuity of Christian witness in this blessed land.”
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