Church of the Holy Sepulchre

New book traces Christian pilgrims' ancient path through Jerusalem

Rodney Aist retraces Jerusalem’s pre-Crusades pilgrim circuit—Holy Sepulchre to Zion, Gethsemane and the Mount of Olives—blending ancient texts, archaeology, and reflection.

|ByGIL ZOHAR
A delegation of more than a thousand Evangelical Christians attend a special prayer outside Jerusalem’s Old City, December 4, 2025
'There is a Holocaust in Gaza' is seen sprayed on the wall of the Great Synagogue in central Jerusalem, on August 11, 2025

Jerusalem man arrested for painting 'There is a Holocaust in Gaza' graffiti in the Holy Sepulchre

This comes just weeks after the same graffiti was found sprayed on the Western Wall, with many Israeli sites linking the two events.

|ByEFRAT FORSHER
Worshippers take part in Mass for the late Pope Francis at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City April 23, 2025.

Christians gather at Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre to mourn Pope Francis

Worshippers shed tears under the rotunda, while others lit candles and knelt at the Stone of the Anointing to honor the pontiff's passing.

|ByREUTERS
MEMBERS OF the clergy and the local Catholic community attend a mass for the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, led by the Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem’s Old City in January.

Churches in Jerusalem oppose municipal tax decision

The leaders expressed concern over the municipality's move, which they argued contradicted centuries of historical agreements between the churches and civil authorities.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Palestinians condemn police measures at Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem

Palestinian officials condemned checkpoints and coronavirus measures that were implemented by police during the Holy Fire celebration.

MAY 2, 2021ByTZVI JOFFRE
Holy Fire celebration at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem

Holy Fire ceremony at Church of Holy Sepulchre draws crowds in Jerusalem

With Jerusalem under lockdown last year's Holy Fire ceremony was held in the near-empty church that is revered by Christians as the site of Jesus's crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

MAY 1, 2021ByREUTERS
A view of a mass in memory of the late Pope John Paul II in front of the sepulchre in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old city.

Hi-tech imaging sheds light on Holy Sepulchre wall crosses

"This unique phenomenon always baffled us: Is it graffiti of the pilgrims, or rather, something else?...,"

MARCH 31, 2021ByREUTERS
A view of a mass in memory of the late Pope John Paul II in front of the sepulchre in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old city.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre opens for Palm Sunday amid COVID-19

"Last year was a terrible Easter, without people, closed doors. This year is much better, the door is open, we don't have a lot of people but we feel more hopeful that things will become better."

MARCH 28, 2021ByREUTERS
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks along Christian worshippers and the clergy holding palm fronds during a Palm Sunday procession outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City March 28, 2021.

Jesus’ birthplace became a pilgrimage site earlier than previously thought

But when did Christians start traveling to places in Israel associated with events described in the Bible for religious reasons?

DECEMBER 24, 2020ByHANNAH BROWN
A view of a mass in memory of the late Pope John Paul II in front of the sepulchre in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old city.

Church of Holy Sepulchre closes amid coronavirus spike

331 Palestinians test positive

JULY 11, 2020ByTAMAR URIEL-BEERI
A view of a mass in memory of the late Pope John Paul II in front of the sepulchre in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old city.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre to re-open Sunday following extended closure

The church was forced to close its doors to the public in late March due to the coronavirus lockdown.

MAY 24, 2020ByDONNA RACHEL EDMUNDS
Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Eastern Orthodox mark Holy Fire in Jerusalem

Called the Saturday of Light by some eastern churches, the holiday is observed according to the Julian calendar which the Orthodox adhere to, explained Armenian historian George Hintlian.

APRIL 18, 2020ByGIL ZOHAR
Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem stands at the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the Good Friday service amid restrictions due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Jerusalem's Old City April 10, 2020.

Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre closes amid coronavirus fears

The closure, initially for a week, followed a meeting between Israeli police and church leaders.

MARCH 25, 2020ByREUTERS
A worshippers stands in front of the closed entrance door of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City March 9, 2020. Picture taken March 9, 2020.

Vatican, Christian leaders tour holy churches of Jerusalem and West Bank with COGAT

In honor of Christmas, COGAT approved a series of civilian measures for the Christian populations of the Gaza Strip as well as those in Judea and Samaria.

JANUARY 1, 2020ByZACHARY KEYSER
COGAT tour of Christian holy sites with Christian leaders