Easter services at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, March 31, 2024

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

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Christians Celebrate a Sepulchral Easter in Jerusalem, with Lower Turnout than Usual

The Latin Christmas Easter was celebrated in Jerusalem this week in a subdued and melancholy way.

As with all religious holidays since October, the shadow of the horrors being inflicted next door in Gaza hung heavy over the ceremonies. The mood and the events were not vibrant, festive, or hopeful as usual. Crowds were thinner than usual as well, given that Israel imposed tighter restrictions this year for those trying to enter the city with Palestinian Authority ID cards from the West Bank, and those who might have come from Gaza being trapped in a war zone there. The police were out in full force, and additional flying checkpoints were erected that blocked access to the church. Even Palestinians living in Jerusalem itself had challenges to reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City, with unpredictable checkpoint opening times and additional flying checkpoints placed throughout the city.

On the morning of Saturday, March 30, the Easter Vigil took place, presided over by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, in front of the stone believed to cover Jesus’s tomb in the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. It was the culmination of three days of prayer. He lit the Easter Candle along with the row of lamps burning in front of the edicule itself, and then there were readings, ringing of Easter bells, and the Alleluia chant. In his homily, the cardinal said:

The liturgy of Jerusalem is built around this Place, as is the liturgy of the whole Church. It is from here that we draw the light that enlightens the entirety of Christian life. We the Church of Jerusalem must be and want to be the first to announce the arrival of this light and to bring it to the world. In a simple and solemn way, we did this a few moments ago, when we lit the Paschal Candle from inside the Sepulchre. The Light coming from the empty Tomb is the light of the Paschal Lamb of which the Book of Revelation speaks.1

On the morning of Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, Cardinal Pizzaballa led the faithful in the service around the tomb. Below are some photos of the muted ceremonies:

Latin Easter at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, March 31, 2024

Services for Latin Catholic Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Catholic Easter at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, March 31, 2024

Services for Latin Catholic Easter around the stone believed to cover Jesus’ tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Easter service at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, March 31, 2024

Services for Latin Catholic Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

A Catholic priest administers holy communion at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Easter 2024.

A Latin Catholic priest administers holy communion to a worshipper at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, Easter 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

The choir sings during Easter service, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem March 31, 2024.

The choir sings by candlelight during Latin Catholic Easter service, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem March 31, 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets worshippers on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, greets worshippers on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024. William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem, stands behind him.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets worshippers on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, greets worshippers on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Pierbattista Pizzaballa stands with clergy and worshippers on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, stands with other clergy and worshippers during Latin Catholic Easter services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets worshippers on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, March 31, 2024.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, greets worshippers on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 31, 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Bishop William Shomali on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, March 31, 2024.

William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem, lights a worshipper’s candle during the Latin Easter service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 31, 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Catholic worshippers light candles together on Easter service in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, March 31, 2024.

Worshippers light candles together during the Latin Easter service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 31, 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Worshippers sing hymns while holding candles on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, March 31, 2024.

Worshippers sing hymns while holding lighted candles during the Latin Easter service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 31, 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

Worshippers holding candles during on Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, March 31, 2024.

Worshippers hold lighted candles during the Latin Easter service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 31, 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

A father gazes at his infant daughter as she lies on Jesus’ tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Easter Day, March 31, 2024.

A father places his infant daughter on the stone believed to cover the tomb of Jesus and gazes reverently at her during the Latin Easter service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 31, 2024.

Credit: 

Muath al-Khatib for Jerusalem Story

And in an Easter message, the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem also paid special tribute to the suffering in Gaza at this time:

While extending this Easter message to Christians and others around the world, we offer our special greetings to those of the faithful in Gaza who have been bearing especially heavy crosses over the past several months. These include those taking refuge in the St. Porphyrios and Holy family churches, as well as the courageous staff and volunteers of the Anglican-run Ahli hospital, along with the patients they serve.2

At the church after the service, Jerusalem Story spoke to some of the worshippers who came from near and far to attend. We spoke with one worshipper who came down from the north to find out how this year was markedly different:

Credit: 

Jerusalem Story

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Notes

1

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, “Easter Vigil Homily 2024,” Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, March 30, 2024.

2

Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches of Jerusalem, “Easter Message—2024,” Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, March 27, 2024.

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