Jerusalem hierarch calls to open Holy Sepulchre Church to worshippers

Archbishop Theodosius (Atallah) Hanna of the Jerusalem Church. Photo: The hierarch's Facebook

Archbishop Theodosios (Atallah) Hanna of the Jerusalem Church has called for the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, also known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to be reopened to worshippers, stressing that the shrine has remained closed since the outbreak of hostilities and that access to it is still restricted. He published the appeal on his Facebook page on March 19, 2026.

The archbishop said that, despite the continuing security measures, holy sites cannot remain closed to the people, especially during Great Lent and with Pascha approaching. At present, he said, all services inside the church are being conducted by only a limited number of clergy.

The hierarch also noted that the restrictions affect not only Christian holy sites, but other religious sites as well, including Al-Aqsa Mosque. At the same time, he stressed that while security is important, it should not entirely deprive believers of the opportunity to pray at sacred places.

Archbishop Theodosios (Atallah) Hanna called for the war to end as soon as possible and for normal life to be restored, saying that the faithful must have free access to their shrines. He stressed that the Church is not only walls, but above all people who need prayer and spiritual support.

“We want the holy sites to be open, but we also want the military barriers and iron gates to disappear, so that Palestinians can reach their holy places, churches, and mosques in Jerusalem,” the hierarch wrote.

In conclusion, the archbishop expressed hope for peace and stressed the need to remove the obstacles preventing believers from visiting the holy places in Jerusalem.

“This land needs a real peace founded on justice, and peace can come only after the walls, barriers, and gates of occupation are removed. What is the point of opening the holy sites if people are not allowed to reach them? We want them to be open, and we want our people to have free access to their holy city – one of the most basic rights every human being should have,” the Jerusalem hierarch said.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Israel’s Foreign Ministry accused Iran of striking holy sites in Jerusalem.

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