Jerusalem's Sepulchre church tells visitors to keep distance due to coronavirus

Record ID: 1465152

  • Title: Jerusalem's Sepulchre church tells visitors to keep distance due to coronavirus
  • Date: 21st March 2020
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (RECENT - MARCH 9, 2020) (REUTERS) CHRISTIAN WORSHIPPERS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH THE STONE OF UNCTION ON WHICH JESUS'S BODY WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN ANOINTED AFTER HIS CRUCIFIXION VARIOUS OF THE EDUCIBLE, WHICH HOUSES WHAT IS TRADITIONALLY BELIEVED TO BE THE TOMB OF JESUS A BOY LIGHTS CANDLES INSIDE THE CHURCH TOURISTS LEAVING THE CHURCH A VIEW FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE CHURCH AN OFFICIAL KNOCKS ON THE DOOR OF THE CHURCH, TO TELL WORSHIPPERS IT IS CLOSING AN OFFICIAL ON A LADDER LOCKS THE DOOR OF THE CHURCH WOMEN PRAY OUTSIDE THE LOCKED DOOR OF THE CHURCH IN THE EVENING LOCKED DOOR OF THE CHURCH IN THE EVENING
  • Embargoed: 4th April 2020 18:10
  • Keywords: Coronavirus Holy Sepluchre Israel Jerusalem Palestinians christians church
  • Location: JERUSALEM
  • City: JERUSALEM
  • Country: Jerusalem
  • Topics: Health/Medicine
  • Reuters ID: LVA001C5ZTU13
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Leaders of Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher, revered as the site of Jesus's crucifixion and burial, urged worshippers on Saturday (March 21) to maintain social distancing to help fight the coronavirus.
    Church leaders at the ancient holy site in Jerusalem's walled Old City called on visitors to "avoid any act of devotion that might include physical contact such as touching and kissing the stones, touching icons, vestments and the personnel."
    In a statement, the Church said worshippers should not enter in groups of more than 10 and ought to maintain a distance of at least two metres between each other.
    With the usually busy Easter holiday approaching, the coronavirus crisis has led to a sharp decline in the number of visitors to the Holy Land. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is a particular favourite among pilgrims and tourists.
    Other sacred sites have ordered similar precautions, including the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth and in Bethlehem, revered as Jesus's birthplace, the Church of the Nativity has shut down entirely.
    Israel has reported 883 confirmed cases of coronavirus to date and one death. The Palestinians have confirmed 52 cases in the occupied West Bank and none in the Gaza Strip.
    (Production: Roleen Tafakji/Ammar Awad/Stephen Farrell)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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