In Jerusalem, Easter showcases a complete week of services, rituals, and other activities.
Palm Sunday – March 24th
Palm Sunday march on the Mount of Olives.
Join the popular reenactment of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Participants will gather at the Church of Bethpage, bearing palm fronds and singing hymns, to begin descending to the Mount of Olives at 2:30 pm.
The Armenians, Copts, and Syrians make three circuits around the rotunda in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Palm Parade commences at 7:00 am, while the daily march starts at 5:00 pm.
Learn more about the guided tour of the Palm Sunday Procession >>.
Maundy Thursday – March 28
The tradition of washing the feet is an imitation of Jesus, where in silence, private prayer is followed by a service of washing the feet at the Garden of Gethsemane on Mount Olives, in different languages, during the Holy Hour at 9:00 pm. This is followed by Mark and James St. Leading the way to the entrance of St. Francis St. From Cenacle Street to the Church of the Savior. The pilgrimage continues around the Old City at 3:10 pm, including the Blessed Sacrament Procession, the Chrism Mass, and the Lord’s Supper (Pontifical Mass at 8:00 am at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre).
Holy Friday – March 29
The Holy Sepulchre Church.
For Protestants, there is an English meditative service on Good Friday at the Garden Tomb. At 8:10 pm, there is a “Funeral Procession” in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, followed by a procession of the Way of the Cross at the Via Dolorosa with the Franciscan Fathers at 12:15 pm. Additionally, at 7:15 am, there is a Celebration of the Passion of Christ on Calvary in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.
Easter Saturday – March 30
The Holy Sepulcher Church.
In recent years, there has been unrest, so it is advisable to be cautious as the crowds are usually dense. The Holy Fire ceremony takes place on Saturday night, where a multitude of people eagerly anticipate the miraculous illumination of the Patriarch’s candle from within the tomb. The Pontifical celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours at the Altar of Mary Magdalene, led by the Custos of the Holy Land, will be held at 11:30 am on Sunday. Solemn Vespers at the Holy Tomb will commence at 6:00 pm. Entrance and the solemn procession will begin at 3:30 pm. The Easter Vigil will start at 6:30 am.
The Tomb of the Garden.
The suggested donation is NIS 15 and the service will be followed by breakfast. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Holy Land and Jordan holds an English sunrise Easter service at 5:30 am in the outdoor chapel at Augusta Victoria Hospital, Mount Olives Campus. A parade of Armenian marching bands, including drums and bagpipes, proceeds with priests and the Patriarch to the Holy Sepulchre. In the Old City, there is a simultaneous translation service in Arabic (English to Arabic).
March 31st – Easter Sunday
The Holy Sepulchre Church.10:00 am – Entry of the Latin Patriarch, H.B. Fuad Twal 10:30 am – Pontifical mass and procession 5:00 pm – Daily Procession The Tomb of the Garden.Sunrise services in English Resurrection service in English
April 1st – Easter Monday
The Daily Procession at 5:00 pm in the Holy Sepulcher Jerusalem includes the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Vespers. At 2:30 pm, there is the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Vespers in Emmaus Qubeibeh. The Pontifical Mass and Blessing of bread, led by the Custos, takes place at 10:00 am in Emmaus Qubeibeh. Additionally, there is a Daily Solemn Mass at 8:00 am in the Holy Sepulcher Jerusalem.
Additional offerings and occasions
Get the complete schedule for Easter services at both Protestant and Catholic institutions throughout the city by visiting the Christian Information Centre website.
When you visit Israel for Easter, you surely want to get an in-depth understanding of Jerusalem and other interesting and holy sites in Israel. Here are some highly recommended tours around Israel.
Additionally, explore a comprehensive guide of the main religious sites in Jerusalem and find information on transportation to Bethlehem.