Efforts are underway to allow the Holy Fire Ceremony in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre to take place smoothly this Orthodox Easter, with Israeli authorities specifying conditions for its safe and proper conduct.
The following three fundamental prerequisites must be met for the ceremony to take place: restoration works within the Church to be completed; the availability of an appropriate and accessible shelter in the event of a possible bombardment; and the full assurance of security conditions for all participants.
Israeli authorities have reportedly taken measures to safeguard the orderly delivery of the sacred ceremony. They said the ceremony will take place when “the full completion of the required works, the removal of all obstacles, and the guarantee of conditions of absolute safety” are realised.
Authorities noted that only 50 people are permitted inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre due to ongoing works and only those with pre-approved permits will be granted access to the site.
While Israeli Police continue to prepare for the Holy Fire Ceremony and Paschal celebrations, the final decision to hold the ceremony will be announced on April 1. Authorities have emphasised that scheduled events may be subject to change or cancellation if the region’s security requires.
This comes after Israeli Police recently blocked Catholic Church clergy from entering the holy site for the first time in centuries to celebrate the Palm Sunday liturgy, a move the Latin Patriarch of Jersualem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, described as “absurd and flagrantly disproportionate.”
The Latin Patriarch stated that “This incident is a grave precedent,and disregard the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem.”
He emphasised that Church authorities have acted responsibly since the escalation of the conflict and have complied with all restrictions and felt the decision to bar the leaders from conducting the liturgy was “manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.”
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has remained closed to the public since late February 2026 due to the Middle East conflict.
Source: Orthodox Times
