“…And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger…”

(Luke 2:6-7)

Highlights of the feast

Morning of the 6th: the Patriarchal procession from the Old City to the Monastery of Mar Elias and thence to the Church of the Nativity*

via the Bethlehem checkpoint.

Midnight - Divine Liturgy is held at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem*.

Related sites worth visiting:

•           Shepherds Field - The sanctuary of “Kenisater-Ruwat” in Bet-Sahur*.

•           The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem*.

•           Mar Elias Monastery on the main road, halfway between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

For Catholics, the feast of Epiphany recalls the visit of the Wise Men at Bethlehem, and other Biblical manifestations of Jesus. The Magi followed a star to the Nativity Cave, where they found Baby Jesus and presented him with gifts.

Highlights of the feast
Bethlehem*: Church of the Nativity - On the 5th, a Solemn Entry (procession) into Bethlehem to Manger Square. On the 6th - a morning Mass, followed by a procession - a “visitation” (imitating the Magi’s visitation) to the Grotto of the Nativity.

Related sites worth visiting:
Herodion - the palace / fortress and tomb of Herod the Great.
Shepherds’ Field - The sanctuary of the “Gloria in Excelsis” in Bet-Sahur*.
The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem*.

*Under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.
Visiting the site/s may require special arrangements, including coordination for transportation and guides.

“…And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger…”

(Luke 2:6-7)

Highlights of the feast

Morning of the 6th: the Patriarchal procession from the Old City to the Monastery of Mar Elias and thence to the Church of the Nativity*

via the Bethlehem checkpoint.

Midnight - Divine Liturgy is held at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem*.

Related sites worth visiting:

•           Shepherds Field - The sanctuary of “Kenisater-Ruwat” in Bet-Sahur*.

•           The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem*.

•           Mar Elias Monastery on the main road, halfway between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).

Joint prayers are a call of unity among all Christians in the Holy Land.

Highlights of the festivity
On each day of the week, Christians belonging to the various Christian communities congregate in a church of a different denomination and pray together. Every year, the Christian Information Center publishes a list of participating churches.

Related sites worth visiting:
The “Living Stones” - The centers of the local Christian communities, (e.g., the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, which hosts the final evening of prayer).