This year, the Descent of the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is scheduled for Holy Saturday, April 11, 2026. The event will take place under strict restrictions. Due to the Church's architectural features and the absence of shelters, only 50 individuals — comprising clergy representatives and official delegations — will be allowed inside the building during the ceremony.
Access to the Christian Quarter will be restricted. The police will establish multiple checkpoints, and entry will be allowed only with special digital permits issued in advance.
This announcement was made following a meeting between law enforcement officials and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, as reported by Glavkom.
Due to ongoing fighting and the high risk of rocket attacks, Israeli police and security services have decided to hold the event in a nearly closed format.
“During the meeting, it was determined that current conditions do not permit mass gatherings,” stated Israeli law enforcement.
The primary reason for hosting the event behind closed doors is the lack of adequate shelters in the ancient Temple to protect a large number of people in the event of an air raid. Furthermore, the narrow streets of the Old City complicate rapid evacuation and hinder access for emergency services.
It has been noted that in the past two weeks, several rocket shells and fragments of intercepted missiles have landed near or within some holy sites.
“The danger is real. The shared goal of all parties — both the police and religious leaders — is the protection of human life,” the Israeli police stated.