As Christianity’s most important week approaches, the places where Christ suffered His Passion in Jerusalem cannot be visited this year.
Following the escalation of conflict specifically between Israel and Iran, debris from Iranian missiles struck the Old City of Jerusalem. As a safety precaution, Israeli authorities ordered the closure of the holy sites.
In this extraordinary and deeply unfortunate situation, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, explained in a statement how the Holy Week celebrations will take place this year.
The traditional Palm Sunday procession, which goes up to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, to Jerusalem is canceled. It will be replaced by a moment of prayer for the city of Jerusalem, at a location to be determined. The Chrism Mass is postponed to a date to be determined, as soon as the situation allows, possibly within the Easter season.
The cardinal also noted that, although the planned celebrations cannot be held, prayer should be the main focus for all the faithful and pilgrims who will not be able to visit the holy sites. This also affects the Christians who live there.
CARD. PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA
Pilgrimages provide work for many Christians. There are many families who are able to live with dignity thanks to the work brought by pilgrims.
The cardinal has called for a day of prayer for peace on March 28, with the hope that peace will indeed come swiftly to the land where Chrsitians believe Christ was born, suffered death, and rose again.
