![\"Old](\"https:\/\/www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com\/israelnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/old-city-cross-carrying-ouria-333.jpg\")
<\/a>Old City Jerusalem – Orthodox believer – Photo by Ouria Tadmor<\/p><\/div>\n
As Protestant and Roman Rite Christians celebrated the Resurrection in Israel last weekend and Passover continues, our Greek, Russian and Byzantine brothers and sisters observe Easter a week later with ancient rites and ceremonies that take us back to the days when Roman Emperors ruled from Constantinople and the aroma of incense and glow or candles and lanterns astound the senses and life the spirit.<\/strong><\/p>\n Israel is the only nation in the Middle East that includes freedom of worship as one of the guaranteed rights of its citizens. Christians are respected citizens and the majority are members of the Greek Orthodox denomination which is the largest Christian group in Israel. Although the majority of members are Arabs, the liturgy is in Greek and the hierarchy is appointed by the Greek Patriarch. The Arab majority has encouraged the hierarchy to allow Arabic to be used in the liturgy instead of Greek. The clergy are Arabs. The principal Christian Holy Places are administered by the Greek Orthodox Church as well. The church\u2019s origins trace back to the Church at Jerusalem, led by James (Yaakov), the brother of Jesus (Yeshua) and the liturgy, vestments and sacraments are Byzantine in origin. Attending ceremonies at Greek rites is a view to the Eastern Roman Empire and the Christian Roman Emperors.<\/p>\n