The Crisis and the Call to the Body of Christ If you enter the Old City of Jerusalem from Damascus Gate and take Al Zytoun El Shafa towards the Cardo there’s a chance you might find St. Mark’s Church. It’s easily missed, but worth the effort - if only to stand for a moment on the street outside, and consider what happened here one late Spring morning. Evidence suggests this is the place where the Upper Room was located — and it is here, on the first Pentecost, that three thou

Updates from Bethlehem/Palestine by Usama Nicola The Samaritans: A Bridge Between History and Grace On the heights of Mount Gerizim, overlooking the city of Nablus, time seems to move differently. There, where the smell of burning wood mingles with ancient prayers, and where men, women, and children dress in white garments symbolizing purity, the Samaritan community celebrates Passover through rituals that date back more than three thousand years. Last Thursday morning, Mount

I began writing this reflection after friends from Scotland asked me to show them, through a Zoom presentation, what is happening in the places we remember during Holy Week, the places our Lord walked in His final days leading to Good Friday. As I prepared, I realized how deeply these holy places are woven into our daily lives. For us, living here is not only geography, it is a calling, a witness, and a quiet declaration of faith. These places are not distant symbols. They ar

Nestled in the hills of Taybeh, one of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian villages in the world, Taybeh Guest House has officially opened its doors to welcome pilgrims, families, and travellers seeking an authentic and meaningful experience in the Holy Land. More than just a place to stay, Taybeh Guest House is a family home — lovingly restored and deeply rooted in faith, hospitality, and daily village life. Hosting guests here is an act of encounter, storytelling, a

Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 @ 9:14 am “You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world” Matthew 5:13.14 ​ "Our pilgrimage was to a Land where people are suffering trauma. We began with a visit to Bedouin communities living on the margins of society in the Occupied West Bank. They shared their experiences of a life on the periphery, being observed but often not encountered, their movement heavily restricted by rapidly expanding settlements encircling them on

Great food in the heart of Bethlehem

In the hills and villages surrounding Jenin, Christianity survives not as a historical memory but as a fragile, living presence. In this part of the northern West Bank, Christian communities are small, scattered, and under constant pressure from economic hardship, political instability, and long-term insecurity. It is within this challenging reality that Salt of the Earth has emerged as a quiet but determined effort to sustain Christian life, identity, and hope. Salt of the E

A Journey of Transformation For centuries, people have undertaken pilgrimage seeking spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation. Now modern research provides evidence for what pilgrims have known intuitively: these sacred journeys can improve our physical, psychological, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Physical Benefits The physical demands of walking pilgrimages provide significant health advantages. Research on routes like the Camino de Santiago demonstrates that susta

"... the Kingdom of God is made up by such as these." Matthew 19:14 Nestled in the quiet village of Beit Sahour, just three kilometres from Bethlehem and ten from Jerusalem, the Holy Child Program (HCP) stands as a sanctuary of healing, learning, and hope for children and families in the Holy Land. Since its founding in 1995 by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, the Program has served as a lifeline for children suffering from severe emotional, behavioural, and psycholo

As you stroll through the enchanting town of Beit Sahour, just moments away from Bethlehem, you’ll find yourself immersed in a place rich with culture, hospitality, and deep Biblical significance. Known as the home of the Shepherds’ Field, where angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, Beit Sahour is a cherished stop for pilgrims and travellers seeking both history and hospitality. Old Town of Beit Sahour Any visit is incomplete without a culinary experience that

From the Rector of the Tantur Institute: a report from the Christian communities, their role in achieving peace through reconciliation and the difficulties they face.

I saw Jerusalem for the first time on the evening of 14th January 2025 when the taxi from the airport dropped me outside the Lion's Gate in the eastern wall. I entered the city directly onto the Via Dolorosa at the site of the Roman Antonia Fortress—the place where Christ was scourged before His final journey through Jerusalem to Golgotha. A Warm Welcome at Ecce Homo Pilgrim House From the Lion's Gate, I walked a short distance to my accommodation at the Ecce Homo Pilgrim Hou

Friends of the Holy Land: Supporting Christian Communities in the Middle East Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) is a UK-based ecumenical...

May their memory be for a blessing.

Palestinian Christian pastor of the Lutheran Christmas Church, Revd Ashraf Tannous will visit Southport and Liverpool on 18/10/25. Come and hear him speak about life in Bethlehem and the experience of Palestinian Christians.

During October we have planned a series of small fundraising events at parishes in the Archdiocese. We'd like to host an event at your...

Nestled in the northern West Bank, just southeast of the city of Jenin, lies the small town of Zababdeh. At first glance it appears like many other rural Palestinian communities, surrounded by olive groves and agricultural land. Yet Zababdeh is unique within its region. Unlike most towns in the West Bank, where Christians now represent only a small minority, Zababdeh has remained a predominantly Christian community. Around three-quarters of its 4,000-plus residents identify a

A Living Heritage of Faith and Resilience Jenin City Nestled in northern Palestine, Jenin sits atop a scenic hill surrounded by olive, fig, and citrus groves. With a broader population of around 50,000—most of whom are Muslim—the Christian presence here is small yet enduring. Approximately 200 Christians reside in the city of Jenin itself, and they worship together at the Latin parish of the Holy Redeemer, which also operates a coeducational kindergarten catering to Christian

(Over the next few weeks we will look at each of the different Christian communities that exist throughout the Holy Land. To appreciate the unique gifts they bring to the region and the unique challenges they face). The Christian Community of Nablus, West Bank Nablus, an ancient city in the Central Highlands of the West Bank about 40 miles north of Jerusalem, is one of the largest Palestinian cities and a vibrant hub of commerce, education, and culture. Home to An-Najah Natio

“Be pilgrims of hope and builders of peace” Pope Francis Video I made at sunset 19/1/25 looking from the walls of Jerusalem across the...