Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Orthodox Christian worshippers take part in the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City during the Easter holiday, April 23, 2011. (Kobi Gideon /Flash90)

How Orthodox Christians are keeping Easter traditions despite lockdown

Worshippers have been marking the Holy Fire ceremony that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus in the same way for centuries — until this year.

By Henriette Chacar April 17, 2020

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III arrives at the Church of the Nativity in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem as Orthodox Christmas celebrations kicked off on January 6, 2016, in the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ. (Flash90)

Christian leaders shut down Holy Sepulchre church to protest Israeli policy

A bill to expropriate church property and a plan to charge the church 650 million NIS in back taxes prompt protest from Christian leaders. Christian leaders announced that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of the holiest sites in all of Christianity, will be closed indefinitely to protest a Knesset bill that will allow…

By Joshua Leifer February 25, 2018

Tourists and worshipers visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem. (Photo by Fat Jackey / Shutterstock.com)

‘Israel only officially recognizes Jewish holy sites’

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is one of the most sacred places in the world for Christianity. Yet Israel does not officially recognize it as a holy site, a new report reveals. Last Saturday the Eastern Churches marked Holy Fire, the Saturday after Good Friday, when Easter begins. Thousands of pilgrims visited…

By Orly Noy May 6, 2016

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Palestinian and Israeli activists plant a Palestinian flag at a tent placed by settlers on land belonging to the West Bank village of Khirbet An Nahla, April 18, 2014. All Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law. (Activestills.org)

Photos of the week: Returning from Beirut, returning to Iqrit

This week: Majd Kayyal returns to his home in Haifa after protesting for his right for movement, Palestinian residents of Umm al-Fahm protest against ‘price tag’ mosque arson, Israelis protest for housing and animal rights, and for their right to get high.

By Activestills April 25, 2014