Easter Ceremonies Limited Due to Security, Police Meet Church Leaders

This decision is based on the police’s legal and moral obligation to protect and preserve human life. The Easter holiday ceremonies and “Sabbath of Light” will begin this week and continue next week. With the intention of finding a framework that will allow all Christian denominations freedom of worship during the holiday, the David District, headed by Commander Dvir Tamim, is holding ongoing dialogue with all Christian denominations. This morning, a meeting was held with the Greek Patriarch Theophilos III, Armenian Archbishop Swane Gribian, Armenian Bishop Theodore Zakarian, church leaders, and priests. During the meeting, it was agreed that the traditional ceremonies will be held in a symbolic and limited format. In this meeting as well, there was broad agreement on the special security situation this year, and that the current reality does not allow for mass ceremonies.