Easter

Gaza's Christians 'heartbroken' for pope who phoned them nightly

Christians in Gaza said that they had "lost a man who fought every day in every direction to protect this small herd of his."

|ByREUTERS
Palestinian Christians attend an Easter Mass at the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, in Gaza City, April 20, 2025.
A "Blood Moon" is seen during a lunar eclipse over Jerusalem July 27, 2018.

Lunar eclipse over Jerusalem may mark date of Jesus's crucifixion, NASA reports

Some believe that the new data from NASA, paired with Biblical text, could pinpoint the day Jesus was crucified.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
People carry crosses next to a flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers, during a protest against the burning of the Christmas tree in Hama, in Damascus, Syria December 24, 2024.

On a united Easter, the lives and struggles of Christians in the Middle East

This Easter, Orthodox and Western Christians find themselves united in a rare occurrence: celebrating the resurrection of Christ on the same day.

|ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE
Pope Francis speaks from a balcony on the day of the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and to the world) message, at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, in the Vatican, April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire during Easter appearance

"I appeal to the warring parties: Call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace," the Pope's Easter message said.

|ByREUTERS

Coronavirus: Greek Orthodox Church forgoes Easter Via Dolorosa procession

The clerics were granted entry to the building, and soon afterwards the sound of prayers could be heard from within.

APRIL 17, 2020ByREUTERS
A worshipper holds a cross in Jerusalem's Old City on the day that Greek Orthodox church authorities celebrate Good Friday amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Jerusalem April 17, 2020.

Romanian priest: Sermon equating Jews to coronavirus was misinterpreted

On April 9, in a filmed greeting ahead of Easter, Dobos spoke about how the disciples of Jesus “feared the Jews,” adding “And here in the bracket we should read: feared the virus.”

APRIL 15, 2020ByCNAAN LIPHSHIZ/JTA
A Christian Orthodox priest hands out Easter supplies in Romania, where a Catholic leader is under fire for comparing Jews to a virus in his Easter comments.

During the coronavirus outbreak, there are no exceptions to the rules

This applies equally to all religions with no exemptions, including Jews celebrating Passover, Christians celebrating Easter and Muslims observing Ramadan. Everyone.

APRIL 13, 2020ByMICAH D. HALPERN
Police tape is seen in Jerusalem as coronavirus restrictions are imposed on the city.

Palestinian woman creates Easter workshops amid coronavirus lockdown

Bethlehem artist uses internet to teach families how to make holiday decorations

APRIL 13, 2020ByDIMA ABUMARIA/ THE MEDIA LINE
Salam Al Bandak works with children during an outdoor workshop.

Ahead of Easter, pope urges Christians to be 'messengers of life'

In countries around the world Catholics followed the papal service or Masses said by priests in their own empty churches and broadcast on television or over the internet.

APRIL 11, 2020ByREUTERS
Pope Francis is pictured at St. Peter's Basilica during an extraordinary "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing - normally given only at Christmas and Easter -, as a response to the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at the Vatican, March 27, 2020

Empty churches, food drives, Easter weekend in coronavirus-hit US starts

"Now is no time to back off," Fauci told CNN on Friday. "The virus will decide" when the country can begin to reopen.

APRIL 11, 2020ByREUTERS
Members of the "Psalm 100" evangelical church, dressed as angels and holding placards making reference to the coronavirus (COVID-19) are seen during a demonstration at the Paso del Norte international border bridge as taken from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, 23 March 2020

Coronavirus: A holdout of US churches defy warnings for Easter

"Satan and a virus will not stop us," said the Reverend Tony Spell. "God will shield us from all harm and sickness."

APRIL 10, 2020ByREUTERS
Storm clouds pass over a Roman Catholic church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. August 14, 2018

On Good Friday, Jerusalem archbishop urges prayers against coronavirus

Jerusalem residents are locked down in their homes for all but essential activities, which do not include religious ceremonies.

APRIL 10, 2020ByREUTERS
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.

Holy Week in the Holy Land: Easter in Jerusalem amid coronavirus

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is closed to the public for the first time in nearly seven centuries

APRIL 10, 2020ByJOSHUA ROBBIN MARKS/THE MEDIA LINE
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.

Netanyahu, Pompeo talk Iran and coronavirus

According to the Prime Minister's Office, Pompeo wished Netanyahu a happy Passover, and Netanyahu wished Pompeo a happy Easter.

APRIL 9, 2020ByLAHAV HARKOV
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.