Easter

Feature Story A Joyful Community Celebrating Holy Fire in a Newly Reopened Old City Faces Police Clampdown, Aggression

The Orthodox community came out joyfully to celebrate their holiest day in a newly reopened Old City, but police restrictions darkened the day.

Blog Post “A Real Emptiness”: Catholic Christians of Jerusalem Are Deprived of Their Holy Week

No one is spared this holiday season, including Christians in Jerusalem.

Feature Story A Bitter Easter Passes, a Marker for Increasing Repression

A Holy Week when all denominations should have rejoiced together instead set new highs for state repression.

Blog Post The Torchbearer of Light

The man who changed the Status Quo by becoming the first to carry the flame

Feature Story Only in Jerusalem: The Zaffeh Procession and the Hajmeh Descent

The zaffeh and the hajmeh are integral to Jerusalem’s Orthodox Easter celebrations, reflecting Christianity’s ancient traditions.

Feature Story When Ramadan and Lent Coincide, Most Jerusalemites Observe a Fast

The smells of Ramadan and Lent meals suffuse the Old City this year, intoxicating the senses and tantalizing those who are fasting.

Blog Post Spiritual Jerusalem Unites Us

Jerusalemites observed Easter and Eid al-Fitr during the same week, but a deep sadness hung over the city.

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

Muted and downsized, Easter services offer solace to worshippers able to reach them despite Israeli checkpoints and police.

Blog Post George Sahhar: Attending Easter in Jerusalem Is a Commitment to Preserve the City’s Living Mosaic

“Everybody will be able to come to Jerusalem from anywhere they want and celebrate in Jerusalem.”