Thousands of Christian faithful attended Palm Sunday celebrations at Jerusalem’s sacred Mount of Olives, marking the first day of Holy Week as conflict surges across the region. Pilgrims waved branches and fronds in the air, items that were placed before Jesus’ feet as he was greeted by cheering crowds during his entrance into Jerusalem, according to the Bible. Earlier Sunday, Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre — revered as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion — also held a service.
Quick Read
- Palm Sunday Celebrations in Jerusalem: Thousands of Christian faithful gathered at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday, initiating Holy Week amidst regional conflicts.
- Symbolic Acts: Participants waved branches and fronds, emulating the biblical scene of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, with similar celebrations occurring at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion.
- Impact of Regional Conflict: Despite the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the Palm Sunday procession maintained its size and spirit from the previous year, with attendees like David Manini from Italy noting the absence of tension.
- Holy Week Significance: The event commences the solemn week in Christianity, commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday and celebrating his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
- International Participation: Pilgrims from around the globe, including Jennifer Weedon from the United States, attended the celebrations out of devotion to Jesus Christ.
- Tourism Affected by Conflict: Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel has experienced a significant decline in tourism. The war began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, leading to casualties and hostages, followed by an intense military response from Israel resulting in substantial Palestinian losses.
- Prayers Amidst Conflict: Amidst the celebrations, pilgrims displayed placards with prayers for salvation, referencing churches in Gaza affected by the conflict, such as the strike on St. Porphyrios Church, which served as a shelter for displaced Palestinians and was hit in late October, resulting in casualties.
The Associated Press has the story:
Thousands attend Palm Sunday celebrations in Jerusalem against war backdrop
Newslooks- JERUSALEM (AP) —
Thousands of Christian faithful attended Palm Sunday celebrations at Jerusalem’s sacred Mount of Olives, marking the first day of Holy Week as conflict surges across the region.
Pilgrims waved branches and fronds in the air, items that were placed before Jesus’ feet as he was greeted by cheering crowds during his entrance into Jerusalem, according to the Bible. Earlier Sunday, Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre — revered as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion — also held a service.
The annual celebration came as the Israel-Hamas war rages on in Gaza. However, the conflict appeared to have had little effect on the procession, which swelled to a similar size as last year.
“Although there is war, in my impression I don’t feel any kind of tension,” said David Manini, a pilgrim from Italy.
The celebration marks the beginning of the most somber week in the Christian calendar, which marks Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter.
“I’m here because I love Jesus Christ,” said Jennifer Weedon, who traveled form the United States for the occasion.
Since the war erupted, Israel has seen a huge downturn in tourism. The war began on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants from Gaza invaded southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. Israel has responded with an air and ground war that has left more than 32,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.
One of the placards held by a pilgrim read, “Save us lord. The Church of Saint Porphyrius and Holy Family Church, Gaza.”
In late October, Palestinian health officials said that an Israeli strike hit St. Porphyrios, a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza where displaced Palestinians were sheltering, killing 18 people.
