In Photos: The Sacred Holy Week at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
With its cobblestone paths and ancient stone walls, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Palestine, isn’t just any historical site — it’s one of the most sacred places in Christianity. Believed to be where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected, the church becomes the spiritual heart of the world during Holy Week.
Throughout this sacred time, pilgrims from around the world gather to pray, reflect, and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Each day carries deep meaning, from the joyous celebration of Palm Sunday to the solemn rituals of Holy Thursday and the grief of Sad Friday, all culminating in the hope of Easter.
Here’s a look at how Holy Week unfolded through powerful moments captured in Jerusalem’s Old City in Palestine.
April 13 – Palm Sunday
On April 13, Christian worshippers attended a Palm Sunday procession. Their bowed heads reflect a deep sense of reverence and submissiveness.
April 17 – Holy Thursday
As part of the Washing of the Feet ceremony, worshippers gathered to touch the Stone of Anointing in the very place many believe Jesus’s body was prepared for burial. The atmosphere was hushed, heavy with history, grief, and grace.
April 18 – Sad Friday
On Sad Friday, Catholic clergymen gathered to reenact the funeral of Jesus. The ceremony, held at the very site where he is believed to have been buried, was a moving tribute.
April 17 – Holy Thursday
Clergy moved through the ancient halls in a sacred procession during the Catholic Washing of the Feet ceremony. Their blurred forms spoke volumes of the weight and sorrow carried through Holy Week.
April 13 – Palm Sunday
A Greek Orthodox nun takes part in the Palm Sunday procession at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a quiet, powerful moment of faith in one of Christianity’s holiest sites.
April 17 – Holy Thursday
Christian worshippers stood in silence at the place believed to hold the story of crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Their faces showed grief, devotion, and something deeper — a kind of spiritual connection that transcends time.
April 17 – Holy Thursday
Beyond the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Catholic worshippers, holding candles, took part in a procession, retracing the path believed to have been walked by Jesus on the way to his arrest and trial.
The solemn procession, a powerful act of remembrance, filled the streets with prayer and reflection during Holy Week.
Through candlelit processions, whispered prayers, and centuries-old rituals, Holy Week in Jerusalem offers more than just a series of religious events; it’s a deeply moving reminder of the roots of faith and the power of shared devotion.
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