A message of hope, faith, and unity was delivered in this year’s Paschal address by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, who highlighted the enduring significance of the Resurrection and the Holy Light for the contemporary world.
In his message, the Patriarch emphasized that the Holy Light is a symbol of peace, love, and reconciliation, noting: “We proclaim the joyful message of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to the Apostle Peter, constitutes the foundation of faith and the hope of the world.”
He further underlined that the radiant angel of the Resurrection calls all believers to a living encounter with the Risen Christ, so that they may partake in His Resurrection. As he stated, the Resurrection “is the cornerstone of the Church’s faith, through which death is abolished, life triumphs, and the Resurrection is revealed as the unshakable promise of eternal life.”
The Patriarch also referred to the difficult conditions prevailing globally, particularly in the Middle East, stressing that “amid the trials afflicting the world, the light that springs from the Holy Sepulchre remains the only true hope, calling all to peace, love, and reconciliation.”
Holy Fire Ceremony Without Faithful
At the same time, this year’s Holy Fire Ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is expected to take place under strict security measures.
According to decisions by Israeli authorities, the ceremony on Holy Saturday will be held without the presence of faithful, due to the tense situation in the region. Police have imposed strict restrictions on access, both for pilgrims and for the number of clergy allowed inside the church.
In particular, the number of Orthodox clergy participating will not exceed fifteen, while representatives of other Christian denominations will also be present.
Additionally, all Holy Week services in the Holy Land will be conducted exclusively with the participation of clergy, without the presence of the faithful, as part of heightened security measures.
