Amid Israel's Kangan, Palestinians Celebrate Holy Saturday Ahead Of Easter

Illustration of Israel's military invasion of Gaza that inaccurately sacrificed thousands of Palestinian civilians killed and forced life in shelters. (UNRWA)

JAKARTA - Churches throughout Palestine celebrate Holy Saturday before Easter solemnly despite limitations due to Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and restraint against Palestinians in Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem, citing Wafa via Antara, the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church Theophilos III leads a special mass at the Kudus Cemetery with a limited number of bishops, priests, and congregants.

Those who took part in the mass managed to reach the church after passing Israeli military restrictions and posts surrounding Jerusalem's Old City.

The traditional celebration of Holy Saturday in Jerusalem has not been held lively for two consecutive years, as a form of Christian condolences to the Israeli aggression in Palestine since October 2023.

After the Holy Fire was lit at the Holy Cemetery of the Holy Tomb Church, the fire was ejected into a number of Palestinian cities such as Ramallah and Al-Bireh, Bethlehem,men and Jordanian Valleys, Nablus, Jenin, as well as other churches.

The Holy FIRE was also sent abroad as a lighter for Easter candles in churches around the world.

In Ramallah, the Holy Fire was greeted with a silent ceremony by the congregation at the Tujuh Church without celebrating in public places.

The ceremony at Ramallah was attended by members of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Ramzi Khoury, the head of the Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, the Governor of Ramallah Juli Ghannam, the Mayor of Issa Kassis, Christian and Islamic religious leaders and other audiences.

Meanwhile in Gaza, the blockade and Israeli aggression caused the Holy Fire to not reach the enclave. However, worship is still held at the Janasuci Church of Porfirius and the Holy Family Church.

Earlier, Israeli forces attacked a number of Palestinians near the Bab Al-Sodid Gate in Jerusalem's Old City and prevented dozens of families from returning to their homes.

Congregations wishing to attend worship at the Holy Cemetery Church were also hindered and arrested at military checkpoints, including Archbishop Alberto Tito Yllana, Apostholic Delegation in Jerusalem and Vatican representatives for the Palestinian State.