Israeli forces block thousands of Christians from Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem, Vatican envoy denied entry

The homily by Card. Pizzaballa in front of the empty tomb of Jesus. “The world has a poor, even offensive idea of peace: too many announcements have been betrayed and offended. To the human logic of power, to the dynamics of violence and war, our Church opposes dynamics of life, justice and forgiveness. ' Yesterday, tensions between the Orthodox faithful and the Israeli police over restrictions on access to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Playing with Holy Fire: Moldova launches a war on Christians to please its EU overlords

The detention of a 'pro-Russian' Orthodox bishop before one of the holiest days of the year is a sign of terrible things to come. On Thursday, Moldovan authorities chose to detain Bishop Marchel of the Moldovan Metropolis, a metropolitanate under the Russian Orthodox Church, at Chișinau International Airport. Bishop Marchel was on his way to Jerusalem to bring back the Holy Fire for Easter, one of the most sacred ceremonies of the year for Ortho…

Israeli forces block thousands of Christians from Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem, Vatican envoy denied entry

ISTANBUL, April 20 — Israeli authorities on Saturday blocked Christian worshippers’ access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied Jerusalem when they tried to mark Holy Saturday (Holy Fire), a sacred day in Easter weekend celebrations Israeli police erected military checkpoints on roads leading to the church in the Old City, checking IDs and denying entry to many young people, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing Palestinian state news agenc…

Israel restricts Christians' access to Holy Saturday celebrations in Jerusalem

Heavy security and permit restrictions prevent thousands from reaching Church of the Holy Sepulchre for observances ahead of Easter Sunday - Anadolu Ajansı

The Easter liturgies in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, which the Eastern Churches call the Basilica of the Resurrection, were a proclamation of the joyful "Alleluia" of Christians of all Churches.

Christians in Israel are having a difficult time. Because pilgrims are scarce, religious orders are missing out on vital income. But now they are drawing on Easter hope.