The Jerusalem Post - Israel News

Easter

Gaza's Christians 'heartbroken' for pope who phoned them nightly

Christians in Gaza said that they had "lost a man who fought every day in every direction to protect this small herd of his."

|ByREUTERS
Palestinian Christians attend an Easter Mass at the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, in Gaza City, April 20, 2025.
A "Blood Moon" is seen during a lunar eclipse over Jerusalem July 27, 2018.

Lunar eclipse over Jerusalem may mark date of Jesus's crucifixion, NASA reports

Some believe that the new data from NASA, paired with Biblical text, could pinpoint the day Jesus was crucified.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
People carry crosses next to a flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers, during a protest against the burning of the Christmas tree in Hama, in Damascus, Syria December 24, 2024.

On a united Easter, the lives and struggles of Christians in the Middle East

This Easter, Orthodox and Western Christians find themselves united in a rare occurrence: celebrating the resurrection of Christ on the same day.

|ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE
Pope Francis speaks from a balcony on the day of the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and to the world) message, at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, in the Vatican, April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire during Easter appearance

"I appeal to the warring parties: Call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace," the Pope's Easter message said.

|ByREUTERS

Ukraine reports nearly 3,000 violations of Russia's own Easter ceasefire vow

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, ordering his forces to end hostilities on Saturday until the end of Sunday.

APRIL 20, 2025
ByREUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin attend the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia April 20, 2025.

Russia's Putin declares unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine

A Ukrainian official said on Saturday that Russian forces were continuing to open fire on Ukrainian positions despite Putin's proclamation of an Easter ceasefire.

APRIL 19, 2025
ByREUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin at his office in Moscow, April 9, 2025.

Pope Francis, still recovering, skips Rome's annual Good Friday procession

The 88-year-old pontiff, who is limiting his public appearances on doctors' orders, skipped an outdoor ceremony for Good Friday, the day Christians mark Jesus' crucifixion.

APRIL 18, 2025
ByREUTERS
Pope Francis looks on as he leaves Regina Coeli prison after a visit, in Rome, Italy April 17, 2025.

Jerusalem celebrates Holy Thursday with ritual feet washing commemorating Last Supper

Members of the Church believe that the act is also symbolic of selflessness and compassion, commemorating the Last Supper. 

APRIL 17, 2025
Christian monks and friars walk in procession around the Stone of Anointing during the Washing of the Feet ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 17, 2025.

Round two of Easter in Jerusalem coming up in a month

Churches abide by different calendars, hence the holidays fall on different days most years.

APRIL 7, 2024
ByNICOLE JANSEZIAN/THE MEDIA LINE
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Metropolitan Theophilos (C) takes part in the Easter Sunday mass procession inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's old city

Christians gather in Jerusalem's Old City for Easter amid Gaza war

Despite a decrease in tourists and tempered celebrations, Christians gathered at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem's Old City for prayer and commemoration.

MARCH 31, 2024
ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
Melissa Mott of King of Kings leads prayergoers during the March 31 service at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem.

Ukraine's Zelensky denounces Russian strikes on Orthodox Palm Sunday

The majority of Ukraine's 41 million people are Orthodox Christians who celebrate Easter a week from now.

APRIL 10, 2023
ByREUTERS
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses Ukrainian people with Orthodox Easter message, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, at the Saint Sophia cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine April 23, 2022.

Temple Mount activist detained for plan to sacrifice Paschal lamb

The Jerusalem District of Israel Police have completed their preparations for the Passover and Easter holidays.

APRIL 3, 2023
MAN HOLDS lamb at reenactment of Passover sacrifice 370

Is the Information Domain the key to reducing Ramadan violence? - opinion

The Information Domain is the key to that lies in the interface between the professional and political levels.

MARCH 31, 2023
ByGADI EZRA
Palestinians protest after Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan, at the Al Aqsa Mosque Compound in Jerusalem's Old City, March 31, 2023.

Jerusalem deputy mayor: Jerusalem patriarch pushing ‘false narrative’

"These tirades are part of a well-orchestrated fundraising campaign to the Christian world."

APRIL 25, 2022
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, leads a procession during Orthodox Palm Sunday, marking the start of Holy Week that ends on Easter Sunday in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City April 17, 2022.

Russia's Putin attends midnight Orthodox Easter mass in Moscow

Putin attended the service at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral.

APRIL 24, 2022
ByREUTERS
Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the country's oil and gas industry with representatives of Russian energy companies and officials via a video link at a residence outside Moscow, Russia April 14, 2022