الميالدرسالة حياة ووجود

Christmasis a Message of Being and Existence

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Christmas Season Schedule of Events2018-2019

Faith Events December 15th: Saint Catherine’s Church- Bethlehem. Eucharistic Adoration. (Holy Rosary prayers will be held on Saturdays). 4:30. Holy Mass & the Christmas Novena, at 5:00pm, except for Sunday as the Novena will be prayed during the 9:00 A.M. Mass. NB: Morning masses including the Milk Grotto masses, won’t be held during the Nine Day Novena except for Sundays.

December 16th-17th: Feast of St. Barbara & St. John of Damascus at all the functioning Greek Orthodox Churches except Mar Saba Greek Orthodox Monastery. Services start in the early evening of December 16th until the early hours of December the 17th. Beit Jala. The Greek Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary: A Vigil Service for the Feast of St. Barbara & St. John of Damascus will be held on the 16th of December, at 5:00pm; and the Divine Liturgy on the 17th, at 7:30am.Aboud: The Feast of Saint Barbara in Aboud village, Ramallah district, begins with a vespers service at 3:00 in the Greek Orthodox 4th centu-ry Church of the Dormition in the afternoon of the 16th, followed by a procession to a uninhabited Byzantine monastery. A service is held at 9:00 on the morning of the 17th. For more information, please contact Fr. Emmanuel by phone at 0597952779/0599797323.

December 17th-18th: Mar Sabbas Feast. Mar Sabbas Monastery. The Feast of Mar Sabbas in the Kidron Valley is held from the afternoon of the 17th until the morning of the 18th, with an all-night service con-ducted by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. An adjacent church tower holds a service for female pilgrims during this period of time. Beit Jala: St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church: Evening service for the Feast of Mar Sabbas, at 5:00pm.

December 18th-19th: St. Nichola Feast. St. Nicholas Church-Beit Jala. The feast of Saint Nicholas begins with a vigil in the early evening of the 18th, followed by the main liturgy on the early morning of the 19th (7:30am). After the main liturgy, starts the traditional procession of pipe and drum scout troops through Beit Jala’s Old City. For more informa-tion, please contact Fr. Boulos Al Alam by phone at 0598935957.

December 22nd: Mar Charbel Convent. A mass, at 5:00pm.

December 23rd: Saint Catherine’s Church- Bethlehem. The Holy Mass and the termination of the Novena, at 9:00am.

December 24th -25th: Bethlehem. Saint Catherine’s Church- Beth-lehem: A Mass at 7:30am.

December 24th: Rachel’s Tomb: the welcoming of the Apostolic Ad-ministrator of the Latin Patriarchate at 1:00 pm, to be followed by the Latin Christmas procession with scout troops starting from the Catholic Action Center along Star Street, marching to Manger Square. 1:30PM: Manger Square, The Latin Apostolic Administrator arrives, en-tering Nativity Church and proceeding to Saint Catherine’s Church to celebrate an afternoon service.9:00 PM: Saint Catherine’s Church will open its doors for those who have free reserved seating tickets. Services will begin shortly at 11:15PM, leading up to midnight mass in Arabic which will last until 1:30am (Free tickets).1:30 AM: The Latin Apostolic Administrator leads the traditional proces-sion to the Grotto of the Nativity.2:00 – 8:00 AM: Multiple services in various languages are held at the Nativity Church (without tickets). 10:00 AM: Christmas Day Solemn mass at Saint Catherine’s Church in Arabic.

Services are also held at Christmas Lutheran Church ( Mass in Arabic & German , at 5:00pm), Saint Joseph’s Syrian Catholic Church and all other Bethlehem-area Christian communities considered to be on the Western Calendar. For further information on Christmas celebrations at Nativity Church, please contact the Latin Patriarchate at 02-274-3372. For infor-mation on non-denominational Christian Church services in Bethlehem district, please contact the Bethlehem Bible College at www.bethbc.edu

December 24th: Beit Sahour. A Carol service will be held at the Shep-herd’s Fields (YMCA), at 4:00 pm. The Greek Orthodox Chapel of St. George inside the Nativity church

-Bethlehem: A Service of Lessons & Carols will be also held at 9:00pm. (To book a place on the buses to Bethlehem, please call 02-6272133 or email: info@j-diocese.org. Buses leave the Cathedral of Saint George The Martyr in Jerusalem at 7:00pm, and return following the Service Midnight Mass of the Nativity (A/E), at 11:30pm.

December 25th: The Nativity Church/ Greek Orthodox in Bethle-hem. St. Spyridon’s Feast, at 6:30 Am. The feast is also celebrated at Jerusalem Old City in the morning, at the Greek Orthodox Monastery dedicated to the saint’s name, near the Gate of Damascus.Christmas Lutheran Church-Bethlehem. Christmas Solemn mass, at 10:30am.Afternoon visits & prayers at both the Catholic and the Orthodox Shep-herds’ Field monasteries, starting at 2:00PM.Mar Charbel Convent. A mass, at 5:00pm. Cathedral of Saint George the Martyr - Jerusalem. A Holy Eucharist (E), at 8:00am. A Holy Eucharist (A/E), at 10:30am. A Solemn Evensong (E), at 6:00pm.

December 26th: Saint Catherine’s Church. Feast of St. Stephen at 10:00 AM. Cathedral of Saint George the Martyr - Jerusalem. Saint Stephen’s Feast: Holy Eucharist (E), at 7:00 am. Evening Prayer (E), at 6:00pm.

December 27th: Saint Catherine’s Church. Feast of St. John the Bap-tist at 8:00am.

December 28th: Chapel of the Innocents in the Church of St. Cath-erine. A Mass in Arabic, at 8:00 am. Chapel of the Innocents in the Church of St. Catherine. A Latin Mass commemorating the Slaughter of the Innocents (referring to King Herod’s decree) will be held at 10:00am.Saint Catherine’s Church. Latin prayers , at 2:00 pm. Jerusalem: Cathedral of Saint George the Martyr - Jerusalem. Holy Eucharist (E) commemorating the Slaughter of the Innocents, at 8:00am. Evening Prayer (E), at 6:00pm.

December 29th: The Shepherds’ Field Church-Beit Sahour. A mass to commemorate the event of the apparition of the angels to the shep-herds, at 5:00pm. Masses won’t be held at the St. Catherine’s Church & St Francis’s Chapel.

December 30th: Saint Catherine’s Church. Mass at 7:30 am. Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family at 10:00am. Cathedral of Saint George the Martyr – Jerusalem. First Sunday af-ter Christmas. Holy Eucharist (E), at 8:00am. Holy Eucharist (A/E), at 10:30am.Evensong (E), at 6:00pm.

December 31st: Saint Catherine’s Church. A Thanksgiving Mass marking the end of the year 2018, and the Blessing of Holy Commu-nion, at 5:00pm.

January 1, 2019: Saint Catherine’s Church. Mass for the Feast of Holy Mary & the International Day of Prayer for Peace at 10:00 AM, followed by the traditional Procession to the Milk Grotto with the Icon of Virgin Mary.Cathedral of Saint George the Martyr – Jerusalem. The Naming & Circumcision of Jesus & New Year. Holy Eucharist (A/E), at 10:30am. Evensong (E), at 6:00pm.Mar Charbel Convent- Bethlehem. A mass, at 5:00pm.

January 2nd: Grotto of Milk Chapel: Mass at 4:30pm.

January 3rd & 4th: Saint Catherine’s Church: Mass at 8:00am.

January 5th: Saint Catherine’s Church. A Mass, at 8:00am. Rachel’s Tomb: The welcoming of the Custodian of the Holy Land for the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord, at 11:00am.Manger Square. Reception of the Custodian of the Holy Land (Francis-can Order) at 11:30 AM.Saint Catherine’s Church. Solemn Vespers, at 1:45pm. Office of Readings and the traditional procession to the Grotto of the Nativity, at 3:30pm.

January 6th-7th: Nativity Church and Bethlehem. Scout processions

This Christmas Season in Palestine

will begin mid-morning, ending with the arrival of the Ethiopian Ortho-dox Archbishop. 8:30am: Reception of the Syrian Orthodox Bishop at Nativity Church. 9:35am: Reception of the Coptic (Egyptian) Bishop at Nativity Church. 11:00am-2:00pm: Reception of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jeru-salem at Nativity Church.2:00-2:30am: Vespers for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, officiated by the Patriarch.2:45am: Reception of the Ethiopian Orthodox Archbishop at Nativity Church. Midnight: The Nativity Church: Services for the Eastern Calendar de-nominations at the Church of the Nativity begin at midnight and last until 8:30am, with an hour break from 1:00 am until 2:00am. Concurrent services in the Greek Orthodox parishes of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and the Melkite monastery in Bethlehem are also held. To contact the Greek Orthodox Jerusalem Patriarchate regarding services at Nativity Church, please contact the Patriarchal Representative to Bethlehem at 02-274-8049, or Father Spyridon Sammour at 0569221489 or Father Issa Thal-jiyeh at 0598001238.January 6th: Saint Catherine’s Church-Bethlehem. The Feast of the Epiphany, or the Adoration of the Magi. Services will start by a Solemn Mass at 10:00am, to be followed by the Solemn Vespers & Solemn Tra-ditional Procession to the Grotto: Veneration of the Infant Jesus with the Gifts of Gold, Incense & Myrrh, at 3:30pm. Mar Charbel Convent- Bethlehem. A mass, at 5:00pm. The Greek Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary - Beit Jala: Sunday Christmas Liturgy, at 7:30am.Cathedral of Saint George the Martyr – Jerusalem. The Epiphany & The Baptism of Christ. Holy Eucharist (E), at 8:00am. Holy Eucharist (A/E), at 10:30am. Evensong (E), at 6:00pm.

January 7th: The Greek Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary - Beit Jala. Christmas Day Divine Liturgy, at 7:30am.

January 8th: Bethlehem District. Services at Greek Orthodox churches

and monasteries will commemorate the Synaxis of the Virgin Mary. This is also a primary feast day for Shepherd’s Field Greek Orthodox monastery. The Greek Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary - Beit Jala, Divine Liturgy at 7:30am. January 9th: The Greek-Orthodox St Stephen’s Church- Jerusalem (Old City). The Feast of St. Stephen’s is held in the morning in this church built on the site where he became the first martyr of Christianity.

January 13th: Greek Orthodox churches celebrate the Circumcision of The Lord, New Year Eve & St. Basil the Great feast. The Greek Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary - Beit Jala, Divine Liturgy at 7:30pm.

January 18th - 19th: Bethlehem. The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusa-lem accompanied by the Armenian scouts is welcomed at the Manger Square at 11:00am, to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem with the Ar-menian faithful. Early afternoon: solemn entry of the Armenian Patriarch in the Basilica of the Nativity, followed by the Vespers, at 2:00pm & the Divine Liturgy, from 4:00pm till 6:00pm. Later that evening, the Night Service is held at 10:15pm followed by the Midnight Christmas Divine Liturgy.

January 19th: Divine Liturgy in the Grotto of the Nativity, at 1:15am. Blessing of the Holy Water at 3:30am & the Episcopal High mass, from 4:00am till 6:00am. For more information on services, please visit www.armenian-patriarchate.com and https://www.facebook.com/Armenian-PatriarchateJerusalem/ or call 02- 6282331.

January 24th: Mar Theodosios. Mar Theodosios celebrates its feast day with a morning liturgy, at 8:00am, followed by the opening of the cave of the Magi and a fish dinner.

Civic EventsBethlehemDecember 6th: The Russian Center for Science and Culture. A Christ-mas Concert for a Russian Band, at 5:00pm.

December 7th: Baby Caritas Hospital. The 2nd Wool Bazzar & Kids ‘Show by the Band of Smile clown group, at 10:00am.President Putin Palestinian Organization for Culture and Economy. A Concert by Jilan Band, at 6:00pm.

December 9th: Dar Annadwa-Madbaseh Square. Christmas Play “Foundoq Ghareeb Ajeeb” organized by Diyar Academy and Diyar dance Theatre, at 6:00pm.

December 10th: Manger Square. Opening of Santa’s Village organized by Bethlehem Municipality (till December 16th, 2018/daily from 4:00pm-8:30pm), at 4:30pm.Manger Square. Christmas Play “Foundoq Ghareeb Ajeeb”, at 5:30pm.

December 11th: St. Catherine Church. A Concert by the Young Musi-cians Orchestra, conducted by Paulo Olmi, organized by the Consulate General of Italy in Jerusalem & Bethlehem Municipality, at 6:00pm.

December 12th: Manger Square. A Christmas Play “Morjan” per-formed by Inad Theatre, at 5:00pm.

December 13th: The Russian Center for Science and Culture. A Christmas Play “Foundoq Ghareeb Ajeeb” by Diyar Dance Theatre & Diyar Acedemy, at 5:00pm.

December 14th: Manger Square. A Christmas play “El Milad bel Wad” by Al-Hara Theatre, at 5:00pm.

December 15th: President Putin Palestinian Organization for Cul-ture and Economy. A Christmas Concert for the Spanish Duet Vicente Diezl and Guzman Bajososa , at 6:00pm.Manger Square. Christmas Carols by “Bethlehem Children Band”, at 5:00pm.

December 16th: Bethlehem Peace Centre. Christmas Brunch with Santa, from 10:00: am-till 1:00pm.For tickets please call Bethlehem Municipality at 02-274-1323/Website: www.bethlehem-city.org.

December 21st: Bethlehem Peace Centre. Christmas Concert for the Cherobieme Choir from Tarshiha, at 5:00pm.

December 22nd: St. Catherine Church. Christmas Carols with Fr. Alessandro Brustenghi. For information, please contact Bethlehem Mu-nicipality or the Latin Parish at 02-274-3372.President Putin Palestinian Organization for Culture and Economy. Christmas Concert for the Pianist Ramzi Shomali/ organized by Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, at 6:00pm.

December 24th: The area from Star Street to Manger Square: Scout Parades celebrating Christmas prior to the entrance of the Apostolic Administrator, Rev. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, to Bethlehem, at 11:00am. Manger Square. Christmas Eve with local & international Choirs, at 5:00pm.

December 26th: The Russian Center for Science and Culture. New Year celebration & Christmas play / by tickets, at 5:00pm.

December 27th:The Russian Center for Science and Culture. New Year celebration & Christmas play / by tickets, at 5:00pm.

January 2nd, 2019: The area from Manger Street to Manger Square. The Wisemen Parade in Bethlehem organized by Bethlehem Municipal-ity in collaboration with the Representative Office of Malta, at 4:00pm.

January 3rd: Bethlehem Peace Centre. Christmas fun activities for kids including baking Christmas cookies with Teta Santa, at 3:30pm.

January 4th: Bethlehem Peace Center. Christmas International Music & Food Evening organized by Bethlehem Municipality, at 7:30pm.

January 6th: Manger Square. Christmas Eve Choirs & Christmas Car-ols, at 12:00 noon.

Beit Sahour December 8th: City Square(Souq Al Sha’ab ).The Beit Sa-hour Municipality will hold its annual Christmas Tree Lighting (at 5:30pm). Scout Parade starts from the Beit Sahour Municipality area towards Souq Al Sha’ab . For more information, please call Beit Sahour municipality at 02-2773666/7.

December 14th: Edward Said National Conservatory of Music Hall. Christmas Concert for the Italian Guitarist Giovanni Cazzin, at 6:00pm. Edward Said National Conservatory of Music Hall. A Christmas Concert for Wind Band, at 6:30pm.

December 21st: Edward Said National Conservatory of Music Hall. Christmas Concert for Trio Saba, at 6:00pm.Edward Said National Conservatory of Music Hall. Wassim Choir performance, at 6:30pm.

December 25th: The Annual Candle Procession starting from the Shepherds’ Church towards the Old City, at 4:00pm.The Old City: Inauguration of the Shepherds ‘Village, at 5:30pm (will be opened till 11:00pm).

December 26th: Greek Catholic School: Children play, at 4:00pm.Old City: Shepherds’ Village (2nd day) is open from 4:00pm till 11:00pm.

December 27th: Old City: Shepherds’ Village (3rd day) is open from 4:00pm till 11:00pm. Guests to the village can enjoy the various exhibits including traditional handcrafts, traditional food products; in addition to many musical activities.

January 5th, 2019: Edward Said National Conservatory of Mu-sic Hall. Christmas Concert for Awtar Quartet, at 6:00pm.Edward Said National Conservatory of Music Hall. Christmas Concert for SingNreis, at 6:30pm.

Beit Jala December, 6th: Municipality Square ( Al Manshiyyeh) The Beit Jala Municipality will hold its annual Christmas Tree lighting, at 5:00pm.

December 8th: Al-Ihsan Arab Orthodox Benevolent Society. A Comedy Show performed by the Comedian Manal Awad, under the patronage of the Rum Orthodox Youth of Beit Jala, at 6:00pm.

December 18th: St. Nicholas Church Area. Candles procession after the evening services. Orthodox Culture & Education Center-Beit Jala. A reception organized by the Rum Orthodox Youth of Beit Jala, after the can-dles procession. Al-Ihsan Arab Orthodox Benevolent Society. A reception after the main liturgy of St. Nicholas feast.Women’s Child Care Society. A Lunch, 1:00 pm.

December 27th: Al-Ihsan Arab Orthodox Benevolent Society. Kids’ Show by Al-Harah Theatre, at 4:30pm.

January 2nd, 2019: Kids’ Show by Inad Theatre (www.inadthe-ater.ps), at 4:30pm.

January 4th- - 5th, 2019: Orthodox Culture & Education Cen-ter-Beit Jala. Christmas gifts distribution under the patronage of the Rum Orthodox Youth of Beit Jala, from 4:00pm-9:00pm.

Ramallah December 6th-9th, A joint event between the Evangelical Lu-theran Church of Hope and St. Andrew’s Church, at 4:30pm.

December 7th-9th, Holy Family Church. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony followed by the opening of Christmas Bazaar, at 6:00pm.

December 8th, Orthodox Club Bazar, at 5:00 pm.

December 20th, Greek Orthodox Transfiguration Church. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, at 5:30pm.

December 21st, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope. Joint Christ-mas Ceremony (all churches), at 6:00pm.

December 25th, Public Congregation at St. Andrew’s Church, at 12:30pm-2:00pm.

December 25th, Congregation Week at Holy Family Church, at 6:00pm. For more information regarding events in Ramallah, you may contact Ramallah Municipality at 02-2945555 ext.: 121 / or visit its websites www.ramallah.ps / https://www.facebook.com/R.Municipality?fref=ts.

Jericho For information about events in Jericho, please call our Tourist Infor-mation Center at 02-2312607 / Jericho Tourist Information Center.

For more information about events in Bethlehem, Beit Jala , Beit Sa-hour & Ramallah during the Christmas season, please contact these organizations!

Bethlehem municipality: 02-274-1323. Beit Jala municipality: 02-274-2601/3351. Beit Sahour municipality: 02-277-3666/02-2774007. Ramallah municipality: 02-2945555 ext.: 121.www.ramallah.ps/ https://www.facebook.com/R.Municipality?fref=ts. The Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land. Phone: 02-626-6777. www.custodia.org. The Bethlehem Peace Center, Manger Square. Phone: 02-276-6677. www.peacenter.org The Visitor Information Center, Manger Square. Phone: 02 – 275 42 35. www.facebook.com/VICbethlehem/Dar Ad Naddwa Institute: Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem. Phone: 02-2764576. www.diyar.ps. The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. http://ncm.birzeit.edu/en The Bethlehem Bible College, Bethlehem. www.bethlehembiblecol-lege.edu.Bethlehem University, Bethlehem. www.bethlehem.edu. Siraj Center, Beit Sahour. Phone: 02-274-8590. www.sirajcenter.org. Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation in Bethlehem. www.HCEF.orgPalestine Center for Rapprochement between Peoples, Beit Sa-hour. Phone: 02-277-2018. www.pcr.ps. Al Harah Theatre, Beit Jala. www.alharah.org

For service times of parishes in other locations in Palestine, please con-tact the following church offices.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Phone: 02-626-6800. www.elcjhl.org. Latin Patriarchate of the Holy Land. Phone: 02-628-2323. www.lpj.org.Anglican Cathedral of Saint George (Jerusalem). Phone: 02-627-1670. www.j-diocese.org. Greek Catholic Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Phone: 02-628-2023. www.gcpjer.org. Greek Orthodox Jerusalem Patriarchate. Phone: 02-627-4941 /02-620002. www.jerusalem-patriarchate.info http://www.jp-newsgate.net/en/ - www.jerusalem-patriarchate.org.Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Phone: 02-6282331 www.ar-menian-patriarchate.com/ email: patriarchateofjerusalem@yahoo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ArmenianPatriarchateJerusalem.Christian Information Center -Jerusalem: www.cicts.org

Note: The Ministry of Tourism would like to thank the various munici-palities, religious institutions and civic organizations of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, Beit Jala and Ramallah for their assistance in compiling this in-formation. All events may be subject to change or cancellation pending unforeseen events.