Christians mark subdued Good Friday in Jerusalem, wider region amid Iran war

From Jerusalem to Dubai, wartime fears halt pilgrimages and force churches to cancel or livestream services during one of Christianity’s holiest days

Jerusalem’s Via Dolorosa, normally thronged with pilgrims and clergy on Good Friday, stood eerily quiet as the war with Iran largely shuttered Jerusalem, leaving the usually bustling Old City streets nearly empty.

Christians in Jerusalem traditionally mark the day by walking the narrow stone route believed to trace Jesus’ final steps before his crucifixion, drawing thousands of worshippers from around the world.

But this year, only a small number of local clergy and residents were seen moving along the path, with many churches and holy sites closed under security restrictions imposed amid the ongoing conflict.

Since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran on February 28, Israeli authorities have, for security reasons, barred access to the Old City for anyone other than residents or shop owners.

The restrictions extend to all holy sites, including the Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque and Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which have been closed since March 6. Gatherings nationwide remain limited to 100 people indoors and 50 people outdoors, provided a shelter can be reached in time.

Earlier this month, an intercepted Iranian missile sprayed shrapnel on the rooftop of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, just steps from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the most important sites in Christianity. Missile debris also hit a road leading to the Western Wall.

A Catholic clergyman walks through an alley of Jerusalem’s Old City, largely empty due to restrictions linked to the Iran war, during Good Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

The restrictions led to an international uproar when Israel Police, citing the danger of Iranian missile fire, prevented Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa from performing the Palm Sunday mass at the Old City church.

The situation was apparently resolved when Catholic leaders led Holy Thursday prayers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre without public attendance.

UAE Good Friday services canceled

The war has also cancelled Good Friday observances across the region. All masses in Dubai have been canceled because of the Middle East war, two Catholic churches in the United Arab Emirates posted on their websites Friday, just ahead of Easter.

Following government directives, “all Masses at our Church are canceled until further notice,” St Francis of Assisi Church at Jebel Ali in Dubai posted.

The Jebel Ali coastal area has been hit several times by missiles and drones fired by Iran at neighboring Gulf states in retaliation for the Israeli-US offensive launched on February 28.

“Parishioners are requested to refrain from visiting the Church premises, in the interest of safety and community well-being,” the announcement added.

St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai published a similar announcement on its website, and said Good Friday’s mass would be live-streamed online instead, on the church’s YouTube channel.

Despite the announcements, some parishioners prayed on the pavement outside the high walls of the St Mary’s compound on Friday.

“God is everywhere, but we needed to come here to feel a stronger connection,” said Karen, a Filipina in her forties. She added that she also planned to watch the livestream on YouTube.