Palestinian Orthodox Christians gathered at the Greek Orthodox church of St. Porphyrios in Gaza City for a Palm Sunday service, marking the first since a fragile ceasefire was reached in October. The service carried deep significance for the community, many of whom have endured years of conflict and displacement.
“On this day, we ask for peace and love. Our numbers are dwindling this year because of our brothers who were martyred in the church bombing and those who have emigrated in search of a dignified life,” said Ehab Ayyad, a resident of Gaza City. Worshippers lit candles inside the church in silence and reverence, while the choir sang hymns during the solemn occasion.
Gaza’s small Palestinian Christian community sought to capture some of the traditional Palm Sunday spirit under the fragile ceasefire. They also reflected on the hardships faced by other Christian communities across the Arab world, many of whom are unable to celebrate freely due to ongoing conflict and instability.
“We pray to God that peace may prevail throughout the world and that all Christians and all people may celebrate these holidays in safety and peace, free from the machinery of war and destruction,” said Mossa Ayyad, another resident of Gaza City.
Meanwhile, traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, revered by Christians as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police. Authorities imposed limits on the size of public gatherings due to ongoing security concerns, a measure that has also affected the recent Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, as well as the current weeklong Jewish festival of Passover.
On Sunday, the Jewish priestly blessing at the Western Wall—normally attended by tens of thousands—was limited to just 50 people. The restrictions have strained relations between Israeli authorities and Christian leaders, highlighting the broader challenges of balancing security with religious freedoms during significant religious observances.
