The Jerusalem Patriarchate announced that Easter services this year will be conducted in a restricted format due to the ongoing regional conflict, with major Holy Week and Paschal liturgies held mainly inside churches without large public participation.

In an official statement the Patriarchate said this is the third consecutive year Easter observances are affected by the severe humanitarian situation in the Holy Land. Church leaders said they will preserve liturgical life and the historic order of access to holy sites while taking into account security risks and “human suffering,” including in Gaza and the West Bank.

The Patriarchate expressed concern about continuing acts of violence and restrictions on access to sacred places, warning these measures disrupt the spiritual life of the faithful and the customary conduct of services.

Israeli authorities earlier imposed limitations on events at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; the Holy Fire ceremony will take place in a symbolic form without pilgrims and tourists. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa celebrated a Holy Thursday Mass on April 2 without lay participation after police initially barred him from entering the Holy Sepulchre—a move that drew international attention before authorities allowed the service.

Israeli police said the restrictions respond to security threats, noting recent rocket debris near religious sites, and stressed that protecting lives remains the top priority.