Spanish missionary Eduardo Moreno describes the fear, fatigue, and impact of the new Iran war on Holy Week celebrations in Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
Newsroom (16/03/2026 Gaudium Press) Eduardo Moreno, a Spanish lay missionary serving in the Holy Land, fears that the new war against Iran could silence celebrations of Holy Week for the fourth consecutive year. He recalls how violence, uncertainty, and psychological exhaustion have drained the region’s spirit — from Jerusalem’s shuttered streets to the quiet resilience of Bethlehem’s faithful.
Born in the Diocese of Albacete, Spain, Moreno has been serving since last October in a foster home for children with disabilities in Bethlehem through a mission organized with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. For days, he has been unable to reach the children, yet the sisters caring for them describe their calm resilience amid the chaos. “The children are somewhat used to this situation,” Moreno told ACI Prensa. “When the sirens sound, they take it with a certain naturalness. They don’t get nervous and thank God they handle it more or less well.”
Bethlehem Maintains a Fragile Calm
In Bethlehem, Moreno notes, life appears deceptively steady. Schools remain closed, but daily routines continue — a muted rhythm of normalcy under the shadow of war. In Jerusalem, however, he describes an entirely different scene. “Everything is closed, or almost everything. There are supermarkets open, but restaurants and even churches in the old city are practically all closed.”
Though neither Bethlehem nor Jerusalem are direct military targets, both suffer collateral damage. “When the missiles arrive, they pass over us,” Moreno explained. “Israel’s Iron Dome intercepts them and they practically explode on us in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Sometimes shrapnel falls, pieces of missiles fall, which is also very dangerous.”
The Weight of Fear and Fatigue
Beyond the physical threat, Moreno stresses the emotional toll of living under constant alarms. “Perhaps the worst part is the psychological exhaustion that this generates,” he admitted. On Saturday, March 14, he experienced two alarms within two hours. “The explosions were quite loud, making everything shake a bit,” he said. “And well, that’s a little scary.”
In these ancient towns, finding shelter can be difficult. “There are no shelters in either Old Jerusalem or Bethlehem,” Moreno explained. “The vaulted stone houses are stronger than normal buildings.” Still, each siren leaves an invisible mark on the minds of those who remain.
Jerusalem’s Empty Streets
Moreno is particularly troubled by how renewed violence has once again emptied Jerusalem’s streets, silenced its churches, and scared away pilgrims. “First the pandemic, then the problem in Gaza — and now this,” he lamented. “Just before the start of the bombing of Iran, everything was starting up again. For the first time in a long time, all the shops were open in the Christian Quarter. I remember saying, ‘Oh, look at the joy of having life again in the Holy Land!’ And three days later, unfortunately, it was all deserted again.”
The missionary describes a city haunted by stillness. “In Jerusalem, the streets are now deserted. It’s very tiring, very exhausting for everyone. Psychologically, not having a life is very draining, not having a job is very draining. It’s a desperate situation. We don’t know when this will end or how.”
Holy Sepulchre Closed Once More
The Holy Sepulchre — the heart of Christian devotion — has been closed since the latest escalation began. “It cannot be visited, and therefore we don’t even know if Holy Week will be celebrated there,” Moreno warned. While resident friars plan to continue liturgies privately, the absence of pilgrims is a blow to the spiritual and economic life of local families. For three years, public processions have been canceled.
Despite the hardship, Moreno recalls profound moments of hope. “Last year I was deeply moved to see the joy with which the local people celebrated the resurrection. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced,” he said. He adds that joy, even amid suffering, remains a kind of defiance. “Perhaps I risk sounding frivolous when bombs are falling and people are dying,” he reflected, “but the lack of celebration, the lack of normalcy, and the lack of joy are also forms of suffering.”
Hope Against Despair
For now, Eduardo Moreno’s faith is his anchor. “All we can do is pray for peace,” he implores, “so that this blessed land may one day have a time of sanity and peace, in which people can live and make their lives — which is ultimately what we all want.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Prensa
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