The traditional Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem will take place in a restricted format this year, without the participation of pilgrims and tourists, according to Israeli police.

The decision applies to the ceremony scheduled for Holy Saturday, April 11, one of the most significant events in the Orthodox Christian calendar. Authorities cited ongoing security risks as the primary reason for limiting attendance.

The announcement follows a meeting between Israeli police officials and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The move comes shortly after an incident in which Pizzaballa was reportedly denied access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, sparking international reaction. Several heads of state issued statements, and Italy’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador for clarification.

In a statement, police said that given the current situation, large-scale gatherings cannot be permitted. Easter ceremonies will therefore be conducted in a symbolic and limited format. Access to holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City will remain closed to the general public, citing the authorities’ legal and moral obligation to protect human life.

Law enforcement officials noted that in recent weeks, debris from intercepted rockets has repeatedly fallen near religious sites, posing a tangible threat to public safety. Ensuring the protection of life and health remains the top priority, they said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also emphasized that the restrictions are based solely on security considerations.

Last week, representatives of Christian Churches in Jerusalem had appealed to authorities to allow the ceremony to proceed without limitations. However, Patriarch Theophilos III ранее indicated that the ritual would go ahead even under restrictive conditions, if necessary without the presence of pilgrims.