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Editor's note:
For Christians all over the world, the Holy Week, which culminates on Easter Sunday, is a sacred time of reflection, rituals and celebrations. Some may even travel to one of the most sacred sites, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It's where Jesus is believed to have died and a flame is reported to rise from the stone where he lay.
On the day before Orthodox Easter, the church's patriarch enters the enclosure of Jesus' tomb and lights candles from the flame.
For Palestinian Christians, however, accessing these sacred sites isn’t easy. Human rights scholar Roni Abusaad, who grew up in Bethlehem as a Palestinian Christian, recalls his fond memories of Easter, but he also writes about how “military occupation has denied Palestinians basic human rights, including religious rights.” Palestinian Christians have to request permission to visit, with no guarantee that it will be granted – and the ongoing war in Gaza has made it only worse.
Religion News
Threats to Catholic Charities staffers increase amid far-right anti-migrant campaign
Catholic Charities locations have become the target of far-right media personalities, conspiracy theorists and even members of Congress. By Aleja Hertzler-McCain and Jack Jenkins/Religion News Service
A year after deadly Nashville shooting, Christian school relies on faith — and adopted dogs
Nearly a year after a shooting at a Christian elementary school in Nashville that left three adults and three children dead, students and their families have formed tight bonds out of their shared grief. By Travis Loller/The Associated Press
Former President Donald Trump is hawking Bibles as he runs to return to the White House. The presumptive Republican nominee Tuesday released a video on his Truth Social platform urging supporters to buy the “God Bless the USA Bible." By Jill Colvin/The Associated Press
With its soldiers mired in Gaza, Israel fights a battle at home over drafting the ultra-Orthodox
As Israel battles a prolonged war in Gaza, broad exemptions from mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox men have reopened a deep divide in the country and rattled the government coalition. By Melanie Lidman/The Associated Press
In suburban Washington, a new ISKCON temple marks a new beginning for devotees
Growing from a small ashram in the 1970s, the D.C. branch of the movement formerly known as Hare Krishnas opened an 11,000-square-foot house of worship on Saturday (March 23). By Richa Karmarkar/Religion News Service
Commentary and Analysis
Ideas about resurrection had been developing for centuries before Jesus' life, but his followers took them in new directions. By Aaron Gale for The Conversation
Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Santuario de Chimayó throughout the year, but the pilgrimage during the week before the celebration of Easter is the high point. By Brett Hendrickson for The Conversation
Historically, many Christians got tattoos around Holy Week − usually a cross − to honor Christ's martyrdom. By Gustavo Morello for The Conversation
The Christian celebration of new life comes as the world is flooded with ideas of death. By Phyllis Zagano/Religion News Service
A woman dances as she participates in a procession to mark Falgun Mahotsav ahead of Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Hyderabad, India, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A., File)
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