In Gaza, Palestinian Orthodox Christians gathered at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrios for Palm Sunday services. This was the first celebration since the fragile ceasefire reached in October.
In an atmosphere of contemplation, the faithful lit candles symbolizing the light of Christ, accompanied by liturgical chants and psalms that traditionally mark the beginning of Holy Week.
“We express our solidarity with our brothers in Jerusalem, who cannot pray because of the current situation. We send them a message of peace and love,” says Ehab Ayyad, a resident of Gaza. “There are fewer of us this year, as some of our brothers were killed in the bombing of the church, and others left the country in search of a dignified life.”
Mossa Ayyad, also a resident of Gaza, emphasizes the universal significance of this moment of prayer: “We are celebrating after the ceasefire, while many churches remain closed in the Arab world and in Jerusalem. We pray to God that peace will prevail and that all Christians, as well as all peoples, may celebrate these holidays in safety and serenity.”
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the sacred site of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, were limited in agreement with the Israeli police, as authorities restricted public gatherings due to recurring attacks. These measures also affected celebrations of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Passover, sparking tensions between religious leaders and local authorities.
