Unlike recent years, pilgrims are visible in large numbers to celebrate Holy Week in Israel.

 

Unlike recent years, pilgrims are visible in large numbers to celebrate Holy Week in Israel. Pilgrims estimated in the thousands participated in the procession from the Mount of Olives to the Old City of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday morning – numbers that were repeated on Wednesday as the steps of Jesus from cruxifiction through resurection were retraced. Enjoying cooperation from the weather, visitors from around the world mixed with Jews who are celebrating Passover. For the first time in four years, the calendars of the five Christian sects overlap. In order to avoid fights over access to holy sites that have plagued past Holy Week celebrations, strict schedules were worked out to provide equal access. Israeli authorities eased access for Christians living in the Palestinian areas to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the holy days.