Israel Bans Gaza Christians From Going to Jerusalem, Bethlehem For Easter

HAARETZ – The Christian world will be celebrating Easter this week and next. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, this holiday, which symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus, is considered the principal festival, as opposed to Western (Catholic and Protestant) Christianity, which places more emphasis on Christmas in December.

According to the calendar of Western Christianity, Easter will begin this coming Sunday, April 21, and will last for two days, but the religious ceremonies began already this past Sunday, Palm Sunday, when the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem is celebrated.

In the Eastern Orthodox communities the holiday will be celebrated a week later, on April 28. On this holiday Eastern Orthodox Christians from all over the world customarily visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, mainly for the Holy Fire ceremony, and to participate in masses and ceremonies that last for several days.

Christians from the Gaza Strip used to receive a permit to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and to participate in the ceremonies, but this year only 200 Christians over the age of 55 are being allowed to leave the Strip for the holiday – and only to Jordan, via the Allenby border crossing.

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