Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem remains closed March 20, 2026By Barb Fraze OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Israeli authorities closed Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher as part of wider closures for security concerns, beginning Feb. 28, when Israel and the United States launched attacks against Iran. A statement from the head of Israel’s Civil Administration confirmed that “all holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, will remain closed … for security reasons in light of the current tensions in the region.” Joseph Hazboun, regional director of the office of CNEWA/Pontifical Mission for Palestine in Jerusalem, said the decision was framed as a precaution against potential attacks and to prevent mass gatherings during a period of heightened alert. A woman prays at a locked door blocking her entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem March 4, 2026, on day five of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. The church and other religious sites as well as stores were locked shut by order of the Israeli government as Iranian ballistic missiles were fired at Israel. (OSV News photo/Debbie Hill) The Israeli Foreign Ministry reported on X on March 12 that a missile struck “a few hundred meters from the Old City, the Western Wall, al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Protecting lives and worshipper’s safety come first.” Hazboun said although other churches remained open, he expected the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which contains the tomb of Jesus, to remain closed “until the end of the war and the cessation of rocket fire from Iran on Israel.” Holy Week begins March 29, and Hazboun said he expects services for Holy Week and Easter will be celebrated at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher with religious and clergy only, as happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Holy Sepulchre is governed by the Status Quo, the 19th-century agreement that governs Jerusalem’s holy places. The church has services for Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic, Syriac and Ethiopian Orthodox worshippers. “The church leaders intend to meet with (a) representative of the police to impress on them the need to allow Easter celebrations, even if at a reduced capacity, similar to the pandemic restrictions,” said Sami el-Yousef, chief executive officer of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. “We shall see whether that will bear any results.” Hazboun said that on March 15, “the 27th of Ramadan and Laylat al-Qadr — an especially significant evening for Muslims in Jerusalem and Palestine — the Israelis sealed off the Old City to prevent Muslims from entering and reaching al-Aqsa (Mosque).” “Thousands ended up observing the night near the gates of the Old City. In addition, even residents of the Old City, including Christians, were not permitted to leave,” he said. Barb Fraze is a contributing editor to ONE Magazine and a freelance journalist. This story was originally published in ONE Magazine of the CNEWA/Pontifical Mission for Palestine in Jerusalem and distributed through a partnership with OSV News. Read More Conflict in the Middle East Washington Roundup: US-Iran MOU begins; SCOTUS takes up ICE bond hearings; FDA abortion suit filing Trump and Iran reach tentative deal to end war, but obstacles to peace remain Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pope Leo XIV discuss Iran war at Vatican meeting Historic Catholic church in Mozambique destroyed in ‘scene of terror’ by Islamic extremists Christian sites under attack in Holy Land as violence and displacement intensify Copyright © 2026 OSV News Print
