“Easter 2016”
with MaranathaTours.com!
Holy Week and Easter in Jerusalem
The Catholic Holy Week officially begins with the celebration of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, 20th of March 2016. The highlights of the day will be the solemn mass at 6:30 a.m. at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher with the Blessing of the Palms and the traditional palm procession in the afternoon. The procession will start at 2:30 p.m. from the church of Bethphage down the western slope of the Mount of Olives across the Kidron valley and into the Old City of Jerusalem. Thousands of Christians from around the world will joyfully march, praying and singing in many languages. Anyone can participate to this procession.
Main church leaders of the Catholic community like the Latin Patriarch, the Custos of the Holy Land and other bishops will be present. In accordance to tradition, palms will be distributed to commemorate Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path before His arrest and Crucifixion on Good Friday.
Itinerary for the day:
The road of Mt. of Olives will be closed to vehicles from 12:30. Those arriving to the Old City by car may park at one of the parking lots (fee) and continue by foot.
Mass at the Church of Holy Sepulcher will be between the hours: 06:30 – 11:00 am.
The Procession will start at 14:30 from the Franciscan Church of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives ending at Saint Anne’s Church, in the Old City, inside St. Steven’s Gate.
Twenty minutes after the arrival of the Latin Patriarch at St. Anne’s Church a scout parade will take place starting on the main road east of St. Steven’s Gate, walking around the city wall to the North and North West, passing Herod’s Gate and Damascus Gate, ending at St. Saviors Monastery at the New Gate.
The events of the day will continue up to 20:00.
Good Friday will be on 25th March, 2016, in the early morning at 8:15 a.m., the Lord’s Passion and Crucifixion will be remembered on Calvary. The Way of the Cross will be prayed by the Franciscan fathers with the presence of the Custos of the Holy Land on Via Dolorosa at 11:30 a.m.
Note: Entrance for groups interested on participating to the procession will be only from the Lion’s Gate.
In the evening, at 8:10 p.m., Christ’s funeral will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. It is an event unique to the Church of Jerusalem, reenacting the deposition of Christ’s body into the tomb.
Orthodox Palm Sunday will be on 24/4/2016
Entrance to the Church of Holy Sepulcher will be between the hours 07:00 am till 14:00.
Orthodox the Way of the Cross 29/4/2016
Ethiopian Way of the Cross procession will be be between the hours 09:00 – 10:00 am
The Orthodox Way of the Cross will be between the hours 10:30 – 11:30
Later at 18:00 till 22:00 Christ’s funeral will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.
Note: Entrance for groups interested on participating to the procession will be only from the Lion’s Gate.
Ministry of Tourism representatives will be happy to assist and to provide information free of charge at the Jaffa Gate Tourism Office.
Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday and Saturday from 8:30 – 17:00. Friday from 8:30-13:30
Telephone: 02-6271422
For information about Christian services during the Holy Week and Easter celebrations in Jerusalem and other cities of Israel please check the Christian Information Center
Website:http://www.cicts.org/ E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 02-6272692
Holy Land tours start at $2,299
602-788-8864
[email protected]
Greg Reilly
Maranatha Tours
