Thousands of Christians in Jerusalem Celebrate Palm Sunday Amid Israel-Hamas War

Thousands of Christians in Jerusalem celebrated Palm Sunday on Mar. 24, marking the first day of Holy Week. Christians observe what they believe was Jesus Christ's passion, death, and resurrection in the year 33 AD.

The celebration this year was observed alongside the Jewish holiday of Purim and within the Muslim month of Ramadan amidst the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

According to the Associated Press, pilgrims waved branches and fronds in the air to commemorate the biblical story where those items were placed before the feet of the donkey bearing Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. An earlier Palm Sunday service was held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the revered site of Jesus's crucifixion and burial.

Despite the war in Gaza, the crowds that flocked to the old city remained constant - albeit smaller than in recent years - which could help alleviate Israel's struggling tourism industry, which took a freefall since Oct. 7.

Every year, Christian pilgrims process from Bethphage on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives, then climb the mountain and walk along its ridge before descending on the western slope, passing by the sanctuaries of Dominus Flevit, where it was believed that Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and Gethsemane, where he experienced the most painful hours of his passion.

From there, the procession entered the city through the Lion's Gate and stopped at the Basilica of St. Anne.

Cardinal Pizzaballa to Gazan Christians: 'We Will Never Abandon You'

EWTN further reported that the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, was among those who joined the procession.

"Even though we are few, it is important that there has been this triumphant entry," he addressed the congregations. "We have many problems, but we are truly happy that Jesus is our Lord! He is our joy and our strength."

Also present were the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton, and the Papal Nuncio to Israel, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, who also holds the title of Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine.

The Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, who serves as parish priest of Gaza's small Christian community but has had to remain in Jerusalem, was also present in the procession.

One of the placards held by a pilgrim read, "Hosanna - Save us, Lord," while naming the two churches in Gaza - St. Porphyrios and Holy Family. In late October, officials from the Hamas-controlled Palestinian health ministry said that an Israeli strike hit St. Porphyrios, a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza where displaced Palestinians were sheltering, killing 18 people.

Cardinal Pizzaballa wanted to particularly remember the small Christian community in Gaza, which he said was "very dear" to him and for which he expressed words of great admiration.

"We will never abandon you, and we will do everything we can to support you," the patriarch addressed the Christians of Gaza. I know that this night seems endless, but do not be afraid. Even this night will end, and the dawn of the third day will come for you and for all."

Palm Sunday Around the World

Catholics, Protestants, and Anglicans celebrate Holy Week beginning Sunday. The climax occurs on the three days preceding Easter Sunday, which some Catholics call the "Paschal Triduum."

While Catholics were having a Palm Sunday mass at a chapel in the Holy Sepulchre, Orthodox Christians, who follow the Julian calendar for its liturgical reference, celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy, which is the first Sunday of Orthodox Lent.

Most Orthodox Christians would celebrate Easter on May 5 this year.

Christians across the world also commemorated Palm Sunday according to their own customs.

In Rome, Pope Francis opted not to deliver his homily for this year's Palm Sunday Mass, prompting speculations about his health.

In lieu of the sermon, "a moment of silence and prayer" was requested to the congregation gathered at St. Peter's Square.

Filipino Catholics flock to churches in Asia to have their palms blessed by priests during Palm Sunday services across the archipelago. The country observes the "Paschal Triduum" as a national holiday and an opportunity for Filipinos to observe local Holy Week traditions.

In a message to the Filipino people, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Catholics to "have a meaningful and reflective Holy Week" to "reflect on the many transcendent encounters that beckon us to explore the depths of our souls and rediscover the spirituality that lies at the core of our being."

"This hallowed time of contemplative silence behooves us to ponder on the mysteries that elude our grasp, seek revelation in the face of the inexplicable, and acknowledge the interplay of joy and sorrow in life so that we may understand the path laid before us by Almighty God," he added.

In Spain, Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas and his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel were spotted attending the procession of the "Lagrimas y Favores" (Tears and Favors) brotherhood in his hometown of Malaga.

According to the Agence France Presse, there are several processions throughout Holy Week across the country's major cities, with the most prominent ones being in Seville and Córdoba in Spain's Andalusia region. However, heavy rain prompted multiple cancellations of processions in Seville, as well as in Cadiz, Granada, Huelva, and Zaragoza after months of drought.

"You've got [to] accept what you're given, in this case by the heavens," Banderas joked.

He also posted on X, formerly Twitter, about his participation this year. He posted a photo of himself comforting two young women.

All three of them were wearing the robes, which could be described as penitential vestments brotherhoods wear, while carrying images depicting scenes from Jesus's passion.

"These young Nazarenes are learning that life sometimes gives you blessings, and sometimes, gives you tears," the caption read, referring to the women.

Estas jóvenes nazarenas aprendiendo que a veces la vida te da favores y otras veces lágrimas.@lagrimasyfav #cofradíasMlg #SemanaSanta #SemanaSantaMlg #lágrimasyfavores #NiñaDeSanJuan #Málaga

📸 @lorenzocarnero1 pic.twitter.com/WKnkhDBWEz
— Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) March 24, 2024