There were once throngs of pilgrims. Now silence fills Jerusalem's streets

During this time, the faithful attend Lenten liturgies, trace the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) — following the path believed to have been taken by Jesus to his crucifixion — and gather for the Holy Fire ceremony in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — one of the most sacred and visually striking moments of the year.As during COVID-19, that vibrancy has again been stymied, with Easter, Ramadan and Passover unfolding under similar wartime constraints.For Jerusalemite Omar Haramy, the stillness of the Old City this Easter mirrors a familiar reality."That's our church, that's our community, that's our people Visiting them often requires a permit — granted or denied by military authorities — to pass through checkpoints and enter the city, measures Israeli authorities say are necessary for security.The journey to Jerusalem, even at Easter, is often interrupted or denied."With or without war, we've been complaining for many years — lay people, clergy, and also church leaders in different statements — that there have been plenty of restrictions of movement on Palestinian Christians," he says.This year's closures follow that pattern