Veneration of the Cross Celebrated Outside Holy Sepulchre Amid Tensions

Photo: en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info

JERUSALEM — On the Third Sunday of Great Lent, March 15, 2026, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, a feast traditionally held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the Precious Cross of the Lord was originally found and exalted. Due to ongoing tensions and the closure of the Holy Sepulchre, the celebration was moved to the Patriarchal and Monastic Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen.

His Beatitude Patr. Theophilos III of Jerusalem presided over the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Metr. Hesychios of Capitolias, Abp. Aristarchos of Constantina, and other hierarchs. The service included the traditional procession of the Precious Cross through the monastery terraces and courtyard, attended by a limited number of faithful, nuns, and local dignitaries, including the Consul General of Greece, Mr. Dimitrios Angelosopoulos.

In his homily, Patr. Theophilos reflected on the power of the Cross in guiding the faithful through Lent, noting the contrast between the normal celebrations at the Holy Sepulchre and the current challenges faced by the Church due to regional conflict. The faithful were encouraged to draw strength and hope from the Cross during this season of struggle and preparation for Pascha.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Greek Orthodox Church launched a Lenten fundraiser for St. Catherine’s and the Holy Sepulchre.

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