Celebrating thousands of pilgrims in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday

JERUSALEM, . - Thousands of pilgrims and local Christians celebrated today in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday with ceremonies centered around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the old walled city.



The events began early this morning with an Easter vigil in the church, where hundredsprayed and remembered the crucifixion of Christ, commemorating the day before his resurrection morning.



This afternoon, a solemn procession will enter the Holy Sepulchre, which will host anevening prayer at the place where, according to Christian tradition, stood two thousand years ago the tomb of Jesus.



After midnight, will celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours, who will officiate the custodian of the Christian sites in the Holy Land, the Franciscan Friar Pierbattista Pizzaballa.



Also at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, there will be solemn vigil today andthis evening will officiate the Mass of the Resurrection.



In Jerusalem, Catholics marked the resurrection morning at the Holy Sepulchre, with aPontifical Mass led by Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, and a procession.



The last act takes place on Easter Monday in the Palestinian village of Al Queiba, about 11 miles from Jerusalem, where the Franciscan friars, guardians of the Holy Land for 800 years, will mark the appearance of Christ to the disciples of Emmaus.