In a solemn Easter address delivered against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Holy Land, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, called on Christians worldwide to hold fast to hope in the Resurrection of Christ despite the suffering surrounding them.

Speaking in a video message from Jerusalem, the patriarch described this year’s Holy Week as a time of “profound trial,” noting that violence and hardship continue to affect multiple regions, from Gaza to Tiberias. He emphasized that the Holy Land remains under constant threat, shaping an unusually somber atmosphere for one of Christianity’s most significant celebrations.

A key feature of this year’s observances, he said, will be the absence of the usual number of pilgrims. Many of the faithful who traditionally travel to Jerusalem for Easter will be unable to attend services in person. As a result, liturgies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre will take place without the physical presence of large crowds.

Despite these challenges, Theophilos stressed that suffering does not mean abandonment by God. “The Lord hears our groaning and shares in our suffering,” he said, recalling biblical moments such as Christ weeping at the tomb of Lazarus and His crucifixion.

The patriarch underscored the central message of Easter: that suffering is not the end. “The sorrow of the Cross gives way to the light of the Resurrection,” he said, urging believers to look beyond present hardships.

He also highlighted the spiritual unity of Christians around the world, noting that even in the absence of physical gatherings, the faithful remain united in prayer. From the site of the Holy Sepulchre, prayers continue to be offered “for the whole Church and for the entire world,” he said.

Concluding his message, Theophilos reaffirmed the enduring power of the Easter promise: “No darkness can hide His light, and no force can extinguish the hope given to us through His Resurrection.”