As Easter Sunday is only a few days away, church leaders are warning Christians around the globe to be vigilant — and in some cases tone down their celebrations — amid recent reports of deadly attacks on Palm Sunday.
In countries like Israel, Syria, Northern Iraq, Nigeria and others, church leaders have voiced concerns over ongoing threats against Christians. In some high-risk areas, faith leaders have noted that “celebrations be limited to prayers held within churches,” Christian Today reported. Other Christian leaders overseas have asked Christians “to refrain from excessive manifestations of joy and celebrations,” the news outlet said.
As the war involving Iran war continues, the annual Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem was among events canceled last week, Religion News Service reported.
Check out “Preparing our Hearts for Easter” by Denise George.
A Voice of the Martyrs field worker in Nigeria shared concerns for Christians after a Palm Sunday attack against a Christian community. In its 2025 World Watch List, Open Doors reported more than 3,490 Christians were killed in Nigeria in their latest reporting period.
“There has been a big terrorist attack in Jos, Plateau State. As of now, over 32 persons were killed and many others admitted in hospitals,” he said in a news release from VOM. “(Gunmen) stormed the area in a commando style and started shooting sporadically chanting, ‘Allahu Akbar.’ The area is 100% Christian community.”
‘Please pray’
The VOM field worker added, “Right now, the entire area and beyond is under curfew. There is a serious tension within Jos and its environs with fear of another deadly attack. … Security personnel are deployed. Please pray for the Christians in Jos right now and our partners.”
Voice of the Martyrs’ spokesman Todd Nettleton, who also is host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, affirmed the field workers call for prayer.
“As American Christians gather to celebrate the empty tomb this Resurrection Sunday,” Nettleton shared in a statement, “we must not forget those who are echoing Christ’s ‘living sacrifice’ by risking their own lives in restricted nations and hostile areas.”
“For these brothers and sisters around the world, Easter is often a season of peril,” he said. “Holy days on the Christian calendar, including Christmas and Easter, are often times when those who hate the gospel target our brothers and sisters in violent attacks.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and compiled by The Baptist Paper, with reporting from Voice of the Martyrs.
