Bethlehem Archives - Page 2 of 6

Bethlehem Nativity Church reopens after coronavirus closure

May 26, 2020

Bethlehem’s storied Church of the Nativity reopened to visitors on Tuesday, after a nearly three-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

By Associated Press

Bethlehem holy sites to be closed after COVID-19 reported at hotel

Mar 6, 2020

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem urged its faithful to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health, following its order March 5 to close all schools, universities, mosques and churches, including the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field.

By Judith Sudilovsky

Christmas festivities begin in West Bank town of Bethlehem

Dec 24, 2019

Thousands of Christian pilgrims descended on the West Bank town of Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, ahead of Tuesday’s annual Christmas Eve celebrations.

By Mohammed Daraghmeh

After backlash, Israel grants permits to Gaza Christians to spend Christmas in Bethlehem

Dec 23, 2019

Following protests, Catholics in Gaza have been granted permits to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem, after Israeli officials had previously indicated that they would deny permission to take part in the long-standing tradition.

By Christopher White

Bethlehem family feels the pull of living in the town of Jesus’ birth

Dec 22, 2019

Brothers Peter and Eli Hosh grew up knowing that their hometown was not only the place where they went to school and ran down to the corner market for their mother, but the town where Jesus was born.

By Judith Sudilovsky

Advent’s finale delivers a Holy Land ‘hic’ moment for everyone

Dec 22, 2019

To suddenly be in the very locale, in the very place, where the recorded events occurred can move even the strongest believer to an unimagined and even stronger faith.

By Father Jeffrey F. Kirby

Clothing drive half a world away helps babies in Christ’s hometown

Dec 14, 2019

Palestinians in the Holy Land are in need of baby clothes.

By Rhina Guidos

Palestinians in Bethlehem look beyond religious tourism

Dec 9, 2019

As pilgrims descend on Bethlehem this Christmas, they have the option of staying in restored centuries-old guesthouses, taking food tours of local markets, and perusing the dystopian art in and around a hotel designed by the British graffiti artist Banksy.

By Joseph Krauss and Mohammed Daraghmeh