At noon on Holy Pascha, April 12, 2026, the ceremony of the Second Resurrection was solemnly celebrated at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, marking one of the most significant moments of the Resurrection festivities.
At the beginning of the service, held in the Patriarchal Hall, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and the hierarchs vested in full episcopal attire, while the priests donned their liturgical vestments. The Ninth Hour of Pascha was then read, in accordance with the liturgical tradition of the Church.
Precisely at noon, as bells rang out the joyful message of the Resurrection, a solemn procession began toward the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Bishops, priests, and chanters proceeded reverently, chanting the Paschal hymn “Christ is Risen” in the slow, traditional Byzantine style.
At the entrance of the Church, a supplication was offered, followed by the procession’s entrance into the Katholikon, where the Service of the Agape Vespers was celebrated. The service commenced with the Patriarch’s proclamation, “Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity,” while the chanters intoned the Resurrection hymns.
During the chanting of “Phos Hilaron,” the Great Entrance took place, with deacons carrying the Holy Gospel. The Gospel according to John was then read, recounting the appearances of the Risen Christ to His disciples, including the testimony of the Apostle Thomas.
In a powerful expression of the universal message of the Resurrection, the Gospel was proclaimed in multiple languages—Greek, Arabic, German, Russian, Romanian, English, Italian, and others—highlighting the global and unifying character of Pascha.
Paschal Celebrations Continue on Bright Monday
On Bright Monday, April 13, 2026, the celebration of Pascha continued with a Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal and Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen.
The Liturgy was celebrated according to the Paschal typikon by Archimandrite Fr. Kallistos, with Patriarch Theophilos III presiding in prayer. The service was attended by hierarchs, members of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, as well as the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem, Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, Consul Anna Mantika, and representatives of other Orthodox Churches.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarchal entourage returned to the Patriarchate with festive chanting, where the fraternal kiss of love was exchanged. The Patriarch distributed Paschal eggs to clergy, nuns, and pilgrims, who were more numerous this year due to the ceasefire in the region.
The day concluded with the festive Paschal meal, celebrated in an atmosphere of joy, unity, and the radiant hope of the Resurrection.
