Easter 2026 in St. James Vicariate

Amid the ongoing war, this year’s celebration of Easter was marked by hardship and uncertainty. Yet nothing can diminish the joy of the Resurrection. Even in difficult times, our faith remains strong and alive. Here is how the Easter feasts were celebrated throughout the Vicariate of St. James.

Jerusalem

The Jerusalem Kehillah gathered at the Foyer St. Joseph to celebrate the Easter Triduum in a spirit of prayer, resilience, and community.

On Holy Thursday, the liturgy began at 17:00. During the service, a siren interrupted the celebration, and the congregation was required to leave the church and take shelter until the emergency had passed. Once it was safe, the liturgy resumed. In accordance with tradition, Father Benny performed the washing of the feet for twelve congregants. The evening concluded with an hour of silent prayer and adoration following the Mass.

On Good Friday, the community observed an hour of personal prayer, followed by the Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord at 15:00.

The Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday began at 21:00. During this solemn and joyful celebration, the Kehillah welcomed a new member, Hadas Myriam, who received the sacrament of Baptism.

Easter Sunday was celebrated with Mass at 11:00, presided over by Father David. The festivities concluded with a fraternal meal shared in the cloister of the monastery, marking the joy of the Resurrection together as a community.

Haifa

Amid the uncertainty and fragility of the conflict that has now lasted for more than a month, and which has forced many churches in Israel to close their doors to their congregations, the Lord has granted the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community of Haifa the opportunity to celebrate the Easter Triduum. As a small community, we were able to gather in compliance with the regulations and restrictions of the Home Front Command, even though we could not use our chapel, which lacks a shelter, and so we used the church located in the center of Haifa, in Kikar Paris. On Holy Thursday we celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, seated in a circle around the altar like the disciples at the Last Supper, we welcomed the Lord who becomes a servant and humbles himself to the point of washing our feet. On Good Friday we gathered again to meditate on the Passion of the Lord, who invites us to embrace the cross that each of us carries in our lives. The celebration of the Easter Vigil, at sunset on Holy Saturday, was marked by alarms that went off just as we were ready to begin, forcing us to run to the shelter and wait for the danger to pass; even during the celebration, the alarms and explosions all around us took us by surprise. The celebration was very simple, essential, yet deeply meaningful, because amidst the death present in our lives, and even more so today, amidst the death gripping the Middle East at this time, we were able to proclaim that Christ is Risen, and that death has been conquered.

Beer Sheva

This year in Beer Sheva, we were able to celebrate the entire Easter Triduum as we do every year. In fact, even more people attended than in previous years. As always, all the liturgies were celebrated together in Hebrew and English.

On Thursday, we celebrated the Last Supper of Jesus, including the washing of the feet. Fr. Roman emphasized that we must learn to serve others with humility and love, not only on special occasions, such as when someone is sick or elderly. Rather, every day we should be ready to serve anyone in need, whether in something complex or something simple.

On Friday, we contemplated Jesus on the cross. We spoke especially about the need to be ready to make difficult decisions, like Jesus in Gethsemane, and then also to be ready to carry them out, which is even more difficult.

On Saturday evening, we celebrated the Resurrection. The chapel was full. We prayed, rejoiced, and sang in Hebrew, English, Arabic, and Malayalam. After the Mass, we continued the celebration with refreshments. The atmosphere was joyful and very much like a family gathering.

Jaffa

On Thursday evening, the Easter celebrations opened in the Jaffa community with the first part of the Triduum prayer, during which the washing of the feet took place.

On Good Friday, a day of fasting and prayer, the community sought to identify with the suffering of the crucified Jesus. The second part of the Triduum prayer on this day included the veneration (kissing) of the Cross of Christ.

On the following evening, Holy Saturday, the community gathered for the third time to complete the prayer in joy and hope: "Christ is risen!", everyone sang, Alleluia!

After the prayer – the longest of the year – the community continued the celebration with a large festive meal.

On Easter Sunday, a solemn prayer service was also held with many participants. Afterwards, many continued the joy and fellowship over a shared meal organized by members of the community.

Thanks to all the members of the community who took part in the preparations and brought food – thanks to you, there was a warm atmosphere and a true sense of closeness. Special thanks to the head of the community, Fr. Apollinary.

May we always be renewed in Christ!

Tiberias

This year, the Easter celebrations in the parish of St. Peter in Tiberias were somewhat different. Due to the situation in which we are living, the security regulations, and above all in order not to put the faithful in difficulty or danger, since we do not have a proper shelter capable of accommodating everyone, we regretfully decided not to celebrate the liturgies of the Easter Triduum in a form open to the public.

They were celebrated among ourselves, within the community of the Koinonia John the Baptist who live here, while streaming two Masses, on the evening of Holy Thursday and on Easter Sunday morning, in order to bring the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ closer to our parishioners and friends, and to remain in communion with them.

Haifa Russian Speaking Community

The Paschal celebrations in the Russian-speaking Catholic community in Haifa began on Holy Thursday, when Fr. Piotr, the Vicar of St. James, celebrated the Eucharist of the Last Supper in the Russian language. During the liturgy, he also performed the washing of the feet of twelve parishioners, recalling Christ’s commandment of love and service.

On Good Friday, the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion was celebrated. The profound silence and prayer of this solemn day were unexpectedly broken by air-raid sirens sounding in Haifa, a painful reminder of the difficult reality surrounding us, yet also a moment that deepened the community’s prayer for peace.

On Saturday morning, the community joyfully gathered for the Mass of the Resurrection. The celebration of Easter filled the church with hope and renewed faith. After the Mass, the faithful shared a small festive reception, to which many brought food. The gathering was marked by warmth, joy, and a strong sense of community.