The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is closed for the first time in history
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the holiest site in Christianity, has remained closed since February 28, 2026.
Israeli authorities have decided to close all key religious sites in the Old City, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, amid the escalating conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran.
According to authoritative sources, such as the Catholic portal Aleteia and Israeli police, the church was closed for security reasons following the outbreak of hostilities and rocket attacks.
On March 16, 2026, debris from Iranian ballistic missiles and fragments from Israeli interceptors fell in the Old City, including on the roof and surrounding area of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This is the first such incident in its more than 2,000-year history
Even during the Crusades, Ottoman rule, world wars, Arab-Israeli conflicts, and the COVID-19 pandemic, liturgies continued, albeit with restrictions.
Now, however, the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Catholic communities, which jointly administered the shrine under the “Status Quo” of 1852–1878, are forced to transfer services to other churches in Jerusalem.
The closure occurred during Lent, when believers especially frequent the shrine for prayer and repentance.
The holding of services during Holy Week and on Easter (April 12, 2026, for Orthodox Christians) is in question.
Of particular concern is the tradition of the descent of the Holy Fire on Holy Saturday—one of the most anticipated events for millions of Christians worldwide, especially in Greece, Ukraine, and other countries.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built in the 4th century by order of Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of Golgotha—the Hill of the Crucifixion—and the cave where, according to tradition, the tomb of Jesus Christ was located.
This material is based on data as of March 20, 2026. For accurate information, please refer to the original sources.
