The escalation of the conflict led to the cessation of services in the church, which is one of the main Christian shrines. Since February 28, due to the growing security threat, the Jerusalem authorities have limited access to the main shrines of the old city.
“For the first time in living memory, services in the basilica were interrupted for several weeks… Even during past wars and periods of tension, services at this place continued in one form or another,” the portal points out.
On March 16, Israeli police reported that several objects were damaged by debris, including in the area of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem claimed that one of the fragments fell several hundred feet from the temple and at least one person was injured, the portal writes, citing media reports.
The closure of the temple occurred during Lent and preparations for Easter, traditionally this is the time of maximum pilgrimage to Jerusalem from all over the world. It is believed that within the walls of the temple are both Golgotha, the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, and the tomb in which Christians believe he was resurrected.
