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Salt of the Earth: Sustaining Christian Life in the Northern West Bank
To learn more and connect with this organisation, click on the image above. 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
Mike O'Brien
Dec 30, 20255 min read


The Benefits of Pilgrimage
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
Mike O'Brien
Dec 15, 20253 min read


Orient Restaurant - Beit Sahour -shepherd's Field Street
Dear I’m excited to share with you our special offers for your group at Orient Restaurant, located in Beit Sahour, Shepherds Field. We hope this will be the perfect dining experience for you, and we look forward to the possibility of working together. For more information, feel free to contact us anytime. Contact Details: Phone: 0524069352 Offer No. 1: Traditional Feast Price: [18 dollar] Chicken Zarb with Rice: Includes potato, onion, and carrot baked in the Zarb. Msakhan: C
dinaawwad55
Nov 17, 20251 min read
From The Holy Child Program in Bethlehem - A Message of Hope From the City of Peace.
"... 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
Mike O'Brien
Nov 12, 20254 min read


Orient Restaurant - Beit Sahour
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
dinaawwad55
Nov 7, 20252 min read


The Christian Voice in the Holy Land: A Catalyst for Hope & Reconciliation
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.
Mike O'Brien
Nov 4, 20256 min read


From Jerusalem: A letter to pilgrims ...
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
Mike O'Brien
Oct 12, 20255 min read


Friends of the Holy Land
Friends of the Holy Land: Supporting Christian Communities in the Middle East Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) is a UK-based ecumenical...
Mike O'Brien
Oct 8, 20256 min read


May Their Memory Be For A Blessing
May their memory be for a blessing.
Mike O'Brien
Oct 4, 20253 min read


Bethlehem Pastor to Visit Liverpool!
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.
Mike O'Brien
Oct 3, 20251 min read


October 2025 Campaign
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...
Mike O'Brien
Sep 30, 20251 min read


The Christian Community of Zababdeh
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
Mike O'Brien
Aug 22, 20254 min read


Christianity in Jenin
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
Mike O'Brien
Aug 16, 20253 min read


Nablus
(Over the next few weeks we will look at each of the different Christian communities that exist throughout the Holy Land. To appreciate...
Mike O'Brien
Aug 15, 20253 min read


One Pilgrim's Experience
“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...
Mike O'Brien
Aug 12, 20252 min read


Pilgrim Accommodation in the Holy Land
Interactive map showing accommodation options in the Holy Land and a history of the Pilgrim Houses for the last 2000 years.
Mike O'Brien
Aug 8, 20253 min read


The Rossing Centre: Cultivating Connection and Promoting Peace in the Holy Land
In a region often marked by division, the Rossing Centre for Education and Dialogue stands as a beacon of hope. This Jerusalem-based,...
Mike O'Brien
Aug 7, 20253 min read


The Dom of Jerusalem: A minority within a minority
Within my own city, I’ve come to know some of the Eastern European Roma community. Their language and appearance reflect their Indian heritage, however, one man insists his ancestors lived in Jerusalem for centuries before finally travelling to Europe. This interested me and led me to learn about the Domari or "Gypsies of the Middle East" as they sometimes call themselves. While visiting Jerusalem earlier this year, I spent a day with Amoun Sleem, the founder of The Domari S
Mike O'Brien
Aug 6, 20253 min read


First Holy Communion in Gaza
"For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them." In Gaza City, the new year of 2024 was greeted by a scene of broken bodies and spilt blood. Against this backdrop a small group of people were preparing an act of resistance. Their preparation had continued through the brutal autumn of 2023, and by the start of January, they were ready. Smiling and dressed especially for the occasion, their act of re
Mike O'Brien
Aug 2, 20253 min read


Bishops Call for Pilgrims!
Heartfelt call from the Bishops of England and Wales and the Christians of the Holy Land. They need pilgrims to return if they are to survive.
Mike O'Brien
Jul 31, 20253 min read


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