Calendar

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3	4	5 Feast of Epiphany (C) 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. Feast of Epiphany (C) 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.	6 Nativity, Christmas (O,Cp,Syr,Eth) “…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. Nativity, Christmas (O,Cp,Syr,Eth) “…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.	7	8 Week of Prayer in the Holy land for Christian Unity 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). Week of Prayer in the Holy land for Christian Unity 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).	9
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17	18 Feast of Theophany (O,Cp,Syr,Eth) For the Eastern churches, this feast denotes Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River. Theologically, it is Jesus’ first revelation as the Son of God and the revelation of the Holy Trinity. Highlights of the feast The baptismal site of Qasr el-Yahud on the Jordan River, east of Jericho - Morning of the 18th - A procession of clergy and pilgrims (O) travels down to the river bank. The baptism celebrations are held on the bank of the Jordan River. By submerging a cross in the river, the Patriarch purifies and consecrates the water, which is then sprinkled on crowds of the faithful. In the afternoon the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism in the site. Morning of the 19th - The Baptismal celebrations of the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Syrian Orthodox Church are held on the bank of the Jordan River. Related sites worth visiting: Mount of Temptation and Qarantal Monastery above Jericho. Monastery of St. Gerasimos, in the “Desert of the Jordan” - a station on the pilgrims’ route to the Jordan. Qumran - site of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Feast of Theophany (O,Cp,Syr,Eth) For the Eastern churches, this feast denotes Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River. Theologically, it is Jesus’ first revelation as the Son of God and the revelation of the Holy Trinity. Highlights of the feast* The baptismal site of Qasr el-Yahud on the Jordan River, east of Jericho - Morning of the 18th - A procession of clergy and pilgrims (O) travels down to the river bank. The baptism celebrations are held on the bank of the Jordan River. By submerging a cross in the river, the Patriarch purifies and consecrates the water, which is then sprinkled on crowds of the faithful. In the afternoon the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism in the site. Morning of the 19th - The Baptismal celebrations of the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Syrian Orthodox Church are held on the bank of the Jordan River. Related sites worth visiting: Mount of Temptation and Qarantal Monastery above Jericho*. Monastery of St. Gerasimos, in the “Desert of the Jordan” - a station on the pilgrims’ route to the Jordan. Qumran - site of the Dead Sea Scrolls.	19	20	21	22	23
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Feast of Epiphany (C)

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.

6

Nativity, Christmas (O,Cp,Syr,Eth)

“…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.

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8

Week of Prayer in the Holy land for Christian Unity

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).

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Feast of Theophany (O,Cp,Syr,Eth)

For the Eastern churches, this feast denotes Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River.
Theologically, it is Jesus’ first revelation as the Son of God and the revelation of the Holy Trinity.

Highlights of the feast
The baptismal site of Qasr el-Yahud on the Jordan River, east of Jericho -

Morning of the 18th - A procession of clergy and pilgrims (O) travels down to the river bank. The baptism celebrations are held on the bank of the Jordan River. By submerging a cross in the river, the Patriarch purifies and consecrates the water, which is then sprinkled on crowds of the faithful.

In the afternoon the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism in the site. Morning of the 19th - The Baptismal celebrations of the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Syrian Orthodox Church are held on the bank of the Jordan River.

Related sites worth visiting:

Mount of Temptation and Qarantal Monastery above Jericho*.
Monastery of St. Gerasimos, in the “Desert of the Jordan” - a station on the pilgrims’ route to the Jordan.
Qumran - site of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

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Calendar

January 2021

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