Orthodox Christians flocked to Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday (May 1) to celebrate the Holy Fire ceremony, gathering in far greater numbers than last year because coronavirus restrictions have eased.

This season's religious holidays in the Holy Land, home to religious sites sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, have been overshadowed by tragedy, as Israel mourns the death of 45 Jewish worshippers killed in a stampede in the early hours of Friday morning at a religious festival on Mount Meron.

According to the Times of Israel, there was a heavy police presence and temporary barriers were seen by the entrance to the church, in Jerusalem's Old City.

Video shows crowds gathering for the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

This footage was filmed and produced 1 May 2021.

Orthodox Christians flocked to Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday to celebrate the Holy Fire ceremony, gathering in far greater numbers than last year because coronavirus restrictions have eased.

This season's religious holidays in the Holy Land, home to religious sites sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, have been overshadowed by tragedy, as Israel mourns the death of 45 Jewish worshippers killed in a stampede overnight between Thursday and Friday at a religious festival in the north of the country. Children were among the casualties.

The video shows crowds gathering for Holy Fire Ceremony at Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre.