Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Palestinians celebrate Holy Fire ceremony under Israeli restrictions

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 Apr 2023 16:18
3 Min Read

The Israeli occupation increases its restrictions against Christians to only allow 3,000 worshippers to attend the Holy Fire ceremony in the Palestinian Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

  • x
  • Christian pilgrims hold candles during the Holy Fire ceremony, a day before Easter, at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected, in Jerusalem's Old City, Saturday, April 15, 2023. (AP)
    Christian pilgrims hold candles during the Holy Fire ceremony, a day before Easter, at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected, in the Old City of Al Quds, Saturday, April 15, 2023. (AP)

Palestinian Orthodox Christians in Al-Quds are celebrating the Holy Fire ceremony under occupation and siege imposed by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) at a time when "Israel" hopes to excise the Arab identity of Al-Quds, comprised of both Christian and Muslim rituals, from Palestine's capital city.

The presence of IOF in the church and its vicinity has drawn anger from churches given that the ceremony, symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, typically draws thousands of worshippers to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Occupied Palestine, where it is believed that Jesus was buried.

Israeli forces are attacking Christians trying to attend the #HolyLight ceremony.

Thousands of #Palestinian Christians and pilgrims filled #AlQuds' Old City to celebrate the ceremony, under a heavy Israeli police presence that has drawn anger from churches.

But Israeli police… pic.twitter.com/bvChGUEuWK

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 15, 2023

This year the IOF limited the number of worshippers allowed to enter the church and pray in the vicinity of the church. While typically the church fits as many as 10,000 worshipers, "Israel's" restrictions only allowed for 1,800 worshippers inside and 1,200 outside.

Moreover, the city was filled with checkpoints hindering the ability of Palestinians and worshippers to reach the Church. Earlier, the church's leader had announced that they will cooperate with any restrictions imposed by the IOF.

Resistance Axis Platform: Hanna says Everyone is entrusted with Al-Quds

Related News

'Israel' commits 'crime of the century' in Gaza: Archbishop Hanna

World watching aggression on Jenin, not lifting a finger: Archbp Hanna

Theodosius Atallah Hanna, the Archbishop of Sebastia from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of occupied Palestine said, during the "Al-Quds Podium" event on Friday, that everyone is entrusted with Al-Quds, stressing that "our unity is a strength for us, and we were and will remain united in this blessed land."

Hanna indicated that whoever storms Al-Aqsa and prevents Muslims from reaching their holy sites is the same one who conspires against Christians. 

He stressed that there is no force in the world capable of liquidating the Palestinian cause and stealing Al-Quds from its rightful owners.

"من يقتحم الأقصى ويمنع المسلمين من الوصول إلى مقدساتهم هو نفسه الذي يتآمر على المسيحيين".

المطران عطالله حنا ضمن فعالية #منبر_القدس #الضفة_درع_القدس #القدس #فلسطين #يوم_القدس_العالمي pic.twitter.com/Ws1riJtOXZ

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) April 13, 2023

The Archbishop also appealed to all Islamic and Christian religious authorities to hold consultations for the sake of occupied Al-Quds. 

Archbishop Atallah Hanna also stressed that Al-Quds Day is to remind everyone of their responsibilities toward occupied Al-Quds, adding that a right that someone is always after can never be lost.

Elsewhere, he pointed out that there are some sides who hope that there will be a new Nakba in order to empty Palestine, underlining, that they will remain in Al-Quds and will protect its sanctities.

Read more: Church slams Israeli 'unreasonable restrictions' on Holy Fire ceremony

  • Theodosius Atallah Hanna
  • Palestine
  • Orthodox Church
  • Church of the Holy Sepulchre
  • Al-Quds
  • Palestinian Christians
  • christians

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS