With the arrival of Advent and the Christmas season, the Holy Land has no dearth of services and masses to attend in preparation for Christmas, be it on Dec. 25, or the Armenian Celebration on Jan. 6 or the Orthodox celebration on Jan. 7, 2013
To make it easy for you Travelujah has created the following listing, by city, church and denomination, of the services from now until the end of the Orthodox Christmas season, on Jan. 7. And as an added bonus, if you are not yet in the Holy Land, you can catch mass from the Milk Grotto live. Click here for more details.
BETHLEHEM
1. St. Catherine’s and Grotto of the Nativity
Tel. 274.2425
December 15-23, 4:30 p.m.
Novena of Christmas
December 24, 1 p.m.
Tomb of Rachel – Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, is welcomed by, Latin Parish Priest of Bethlehem and representatives of Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour
Photo: Travelujah
December 24, 2:30 p.m.
Manger Square – Solemn Entry of His Beatitude into the Basilica of the Nativity and
St. Catherine Church followed by Pontifical Vespers.
December 24, 4 p.m.
St. Catherine – Daily Procession to the Nativity Grotto
December 24, 9 p.m.
St. Catherine opens (tickets required – click here for more info)
December 24, 11 p.m.
St. Catherine – Solemn Office of Readings
December 25
Midnight at St. Catherine – Pontifical Eucharistic Concelebration (tickets required – click here for more info)
Mass at the Manger Grotto and Low masses until 1:30 a.m. in Arabic (tickets required – click here for more info)
1:30 a.m. at St. Catherine – Solemn traditional orocession to the Grotto until 2:30 a.m.
2:30 a.m. at the Manger Grotto – Low masses till 5:15 pm (no tickets required)
Photo: Travelujah
7:30 a.m. at St. Catherine – Parish mass in Arabic
10 a.m. at St. Catherine – Pontifical Christmas mass in Arabic and Latin
2 p.m. – Pilgrimage to Greek and then to Latin Shepherd’s Field
December 26
5 p.m. at the Manger Grotto for Feast of St. Stephen
6:30 a.m. at St. Catherine for Italian mass
7 a.m. At St. Catherine for Arabic mass
7:30 p.m at St. Catherine for holy masses
December 27
5 a.m. at Manger Grotto for Feast of St. John Evangelist
6:30 a.m. at St. Catherine for Italian mass
7 a.m. at St. Catherine for Arabic mass
Noon – Daily Procession to the Grotto
December 28, Feast of the Holy Innocents
6:30 a.m. at St. Catherine for Italian mass
7 a.m. at St. Catherine for Arabic mass
10 a.m. at the Grotto of the Holy Innocents for Latin Mass
Noon – Daily Procession to the Grotto
2 p.m. at the Grotto of the Holy Innocents for vespers
December 29
5 a.m. and 7: 30 a.m. at the Manger Grotto for holy masses
Noon – Daily Procession to the Grotto
3 p.m. at Shepherd’s Field for solemn mass at in commemoration of the shepherds
December 31
5 a.m. and 7: 30 a.m. at the Manger Grotto for holy masses
2 p.m. procession to Grotto for solemn vespers
4:30 p.m. Holy Mass of Thanksgiving in Arabic
January 1
5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. at the Manger Grotto for holy masses
6:30 a.m. at St. Catherine for Italian mass
7 and 9 a.m. at St. Catherine for Arabic mass
11 a.m. Mass followed by Procession to the Milk Grotto with the Icon of Virgin Mary.
January 5, Eve of Epiphany
5 a.m. and 7: 30 a.m. at the Manger Grotto for holy masses
Photo: Travelujah
11 a.m. at the Tomb of Rachel the Custos of the Holy Land is welcomed by Latin Parish Priest and other representatives of Bethlehem
1:45 p.m. at St. Catherine for Pontifical vespers and procession to the Grotto
3:30 p.m. at St. Catherine for Office of Readings and procession to the Grotto
January 6, Epiphany
Midnight at the Grotto
Holy Masses till 9 a.m. with an interruption between 1 and 2:30 a.m. approximately
7 a.m. at St. Catherine for holy mass
10 a.m. at St. Catherine for Pontifical mass in Latin and Arabic
3:30 p.m. at St. Catherine for solemn vespers and solemn traditional procession to eh Grotto; Veneration of Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
2. Greek Catholic Church
Star Street
Tel. 274.2493
December 24
8 p.m. Divine Liturgy in Arabic
December 25
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy in Arabic
December 26
10 a.m. Divine Liturgy in Arabic
3. Salesian Fathers
Paul VI Street
Tel. 274.2421
December 24
6 p.m. Christmas Holy Mass at the Sacred Heart’s in Arabic
December 25
8:30 a.m. Christmas Holy Mass at the Sacred Heart’s in Arabic
4. Syrian Catholic Church
Manger Street
Tel. 274.2497
December 24
7 p.m. Holy mass in Assyrian and Arabic
JERUSALEM
CATHOLIC PARISHES
1. Armenian Catholic Vicariate
Via Dolorosa 3rd Station
Tel. 628.4262
December 24
4 p.m. Solemn High Mass of the Vigil in Armenian
December 25
10 a.m. Solemn High Mass in Armenian
January 1
10 a.m. High Mass in armenian
January 6
10 a.m. High Mass of Epiphany & Baptism of Jesus in Armenian
2. Austrian Hospice
Via Dolorosa 37
Tel. 626.5800
December 24
10 p.m. Celebration of the Holy Night in German
December 25
5 p.m. Holy Mass in German
Photo: All About Jerusalem.com
December 26
8 a.m. Holy Mass in German
January 1
10:30 a.m. Holy Mass in German
3. Franciscans of Mary
Nablus Road 9
Tel. 627.6876
December 25
9:30 a.m. Holy Mass in French
4. Greek Catholic Patriarchate
Jaffa Gate
Tel. 628.2023
December 23
10 a.m. Paramon: Vespers and Divine liturgy, St. Basil Prayer
December 24
4:30 p.m. Vespers and Divine Liturgy, blessed bread
December 25
9 a.m. Office & Pontifical liturgy at the Patriarchate
December 26
9 a.m. Divine Liturgy at the patriarchate
December 31
6 p.m. Vespers and blessing of the bread
January 1
9 a.m. Divine liturgy at the patriarchate
January 5
10 a.m. Paramon: Vespers and Divine liturgy,
6 p.m. Blessing of the bread & Pontifical Mass
January 6
9 a.m. Office & Pontifical Liturgy at the patriarchate
5. Dormition Abbey
Mount Zion
Tel. 565.5330
December 24
Midnight Mass in German
December 25
11 a.m. Mass in German
Photo: All About Jerusalem.com
December 26
8 a.m. Mass in German
January 1
9 a.m. Mass in German
6. House of Saints Simeon and Anna
HaRav Kook St. 10,
Tel. 624.8255
December 24
9 p.m. Holy Mass in Hebrew
December 25
5 p.m. Holy Mass in Hebrew
7. Latin Patriarchate
Jaffa Gate
Tel. 628.2323
January 1
10:30 a.m. Feast of the Mother of God, High Mass for Peace in Arabic
8. Maronite Vicariate
Jaffa Gate, Maronite Convent Road 25
Tel. 628.2158
December 25
10 a.m. Holy Mass in Arabic and Assyrian
9. Pontifical Institute – Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
New Gate
Tel. 627.9111
December 24
11:30 p.m. Carols and Christmas Midnight Mass (multilingual)
December 25
10 a.m. Solemn High Mass (multilingual)
6:30 p.m. Holy Mass (multilingual)
Photo: All About Jerusalem.com
December 31
11 p.m. Holy Mass in English
January 1
10 a.m. Solemn High Mass in English
6:30 p.m. Holy Mass in English
January 6
6:30 p.m. Holy Mass in English
10. St. James Terra Sancta Church
Beit Hanina, Nablus Road
Tel. 585.1477
December 24
7 p.m. Solemn High Mass and Procession in Arabic
December 25
10 a.m. Solemn High Mass in Arabic
5 p.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
December 31
5 p.m. Thanksgiving Holy Mass in Arabic
January 1
5 p.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
January 6
10 a.m. Solemn High Mass in Arabic
5 p.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
11. St. Saviour’s Parish Church
New Gate
Tel. 626.6605
December 24
7:30 p.m. Solemn High Mass in arabic and Latin
December 25
7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
10 a.m. Solemn High Mass in Latin
5 p.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
Photo: All About Jerusalem.com
December 31
5 p.m. Thanksgiving Holy Mass in Arabic and Latin
January 1
9 a.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
5 p.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
January 6
7:30 a.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
9 a.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
5 p.m. Holy Mass in Arabic
12. St. Stephen’s Basilica (Ecole Biblique)
Nablus Road 6
Tel. 626.4468
December 24
9:30 p.m. Holy Night Mass (including the Office of Vigils) in French
December 25
11:30 a.m. Christmas Solemn Mass in French
December 26
10:30 a.m. Solemn Mass of St. Stephen Protomartyr in French
13. St. Thomas Catholic Vicariate
Chaldean Street 6
Tel. 628.2657
December 25
10 a.m. Holy Mass in Assyrian and Arabic
JERUSALEM
OTHER DENOMINATIONS
1. Anglican Cathedral of St. George
20 Nablus Road
Tel. 627.1670, www.j-diocese.org
December 24
4 p.m. Carol Service in the Shepherds Field (YMCA) of Beit Sahour in Arabic and English
7 p.m. Busses depart from the Cathedral in Jerusalem for Bethlehem. (Reservations required. Deadline for reservations is Dec. 19. Contact the Cathedral at the above phone number for details.)
9 p.m. Service of Lessons & Carols in the Nativity Church of Bethlehem in Arabic and English
Busses return to Jerusalem following the service.
11:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist “Midnight Mass” for the feast of the Nativity at the Cathedral, Jerusalem in Arabic and English
December 25
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Christmas Day in English
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Christmas Day in Arabic and English
6 p.m. Evening Prayer in English
December 26
7 a.m. Holy Eucharist, St. Stephen’s Day in English
11 a.m. Holy Eucharist in English
2. Christ Church
Jaffa Gate
Tel. 627.7727/9
December 24
7 p.m. Christmas Carols in the Church
10:30 p.m. Nine Lessons and Carols with Eucharist
December 25
10:30 a.m. Family Christmas Service with Eucharist
Photo: All About Jerusalem.com
December 31
11 p.m. New Year’s Eve Service with Eucharist
3. Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
Old City, Muristan Road
Tel. 626.6800
December 24
5 p.m. International Service in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem
10:30 p.m. Christmette in the Redeemer Church in Jerusalem
December 25
10:30 a.m. Service in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
December 31
7 p.m. New Year’s Eve Service in the Redeemer Church
January 1
10:30 a.m. New Year’s Service
4. Church of the Ascension
Augusta Victoria Compound, Mount of Olives
Tel. 628.
December 26
4 p.m. Christmas Carols
January 7
6 p.m. Abendmahlsgottesdienst zu Epiphanias in German
5. St. Andrew’s Scottish Memorial Church
1 David Remez Street
Tel. 673.2401
December 24
11:15 p.m. Christmas Watchnight Service in English
December 25
10:15 a.m. Christmas Communion Service in English
6. The Danish Lutheran Church, the Danish Israel Mission
Bar Kochba Street 91/5
Tel. 532.4254, 054.442.3154 (Pastor Jakob Wilms Niesen)
December 4
Advent service in St John’s chapel Redeemer Church
December 21
Guided tour to Bethlehem
December 24
2 p.m. Julegudstjeneste i Sct. John’s Chapel in Danish
7. Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission
Shivtei Israel Street 25
Tel. 628.8631
December 3
3 p.m. Worship Service in Finnish
December 14
6 p.m. Christmas Carols in Finnish
December 24
10 a.m. Christmas Worship in Finnish
January 7
3 p.m. Worship Service in Finnish
8. Jerusalem Baptist Church
Narkis Street 4
Tel. 624.8749, 050-8193060
Dec 18
10:45 a.m. Christmas Service
9. YMCA West Jerusalem
King David Street 26
Tel. 569.2692
December 11
Christmas tree decoration
December 24
Christmas Eve Family Carol Service in English
Photo: All About Jerusalem.com
10. Swedish Theological Institute
Prophets’ Street 58
Tel. 625.3822
December 25
6 p.m. Juldagen Christmas Day in Swedish
January 1
6 p.m. New Year’s Day in Swedish
11. YMCA East Jerusalem
Nablus Road 29
Tel. 628.6888
December 24
4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service at Y.M.C.A. Shepherds’ Fields, Beit Sahour in English. Buses will leave from East Jerusalem YMCA at 3:30 p.m. Cost: $7 per person. Last day to register is December 22.
ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
1. St. Catherine
January 6
8:30 a.m. The Syrian Archbishop arrives at Manger Square
10 a.m. The Coptic Archbishop arrives at Manger Square
11 a.m. The Greek Patriarch arrives at Manger Square
1 p.m. Syrian first Liturgy and Exaltation of the Holy Cross in The Grotto
2:30 p.m. Coptic Vespers
3 p.m. Syrian Vespers
10:30 p.m. Greek Matins
Photo: Travelujah
10:40 p.m. Syrian Midnight and morning official Order Prayers
11 p.m. Coptic Midnight and morning official Order Prayers
Midnight Greek Service, ends at 3.30 am
January 7
2 to 5 a.m. High Liturgy and the Second Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Grotto
2. Romanian Church
Tel. 626.3034
The Romanian Church participates in all liturgies and prayers of the Greek Orthodox Church.
3. Ethiopian Monastery of Peace-Church of Eyesus
Milk Grotto Street
Tel. 628.2848
January 6
3 p.m. Arrival at the Manger Square and procession to the Church of Eyesus
4 p.m. Vespers till 5 p.m.
8:45 p.m. Bells, prayers and veneration of the Icons
9:50 p.m. Laudes (Mahlet)
Midnight Liturgy (Kidassie)
January 7
6 a.m. Dispersal or completion of the Festivity
4. Armenian Church
Basilica of the Nativity
Manger Square
Tel. 274.2410
January 18
11 a.m. Arrival of the Armenian Patriarch at Manger Square
2 p.m. Entry in the Basilica of Nativity – Vespers and Christmas Eve Mass
10 p.m. Armenian Midnight Service, ends at 1 a.m.
January 19 (Feast of Epiphany starts)
1 to 6 a.m. Blessing of the Holy Water & Episcopal High Mass in the Grotto
JERUSALEM
ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
1. Greek Church
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Old City, Tel. 6284202, Fax: 6282048
January 6
11 p.m. Midnight Service
Photo: All About Jerusalem.com
2. Romanian Church
Shivtei Israel Street 46
Tel. 626.3034
January 6
7 p.m. Vespers
January 7-9
8:30 a.m. Holy Liturgy
3. Russian Church St. Mary Magdalene
Gethsemane
Tel. 628.4371
January 6
10 a.m. Vespers, Liturgy of St. Basil
5 p.m. Vigil Service
January 7
8 a.m. Divine Liturgy
4:30 p.m. Vespers
January 8
7 a.m. Divine Liturgy
4. Russian Church (Moscow Mission)
Russian Compound, Kheshin Street
Tel. 625.2565
January 6
5 p.m. Vespers at Holy Trinity Cathedral
January 7
Midnight – Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral
5. St. James Cathedral
Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate Road
Tel. 628.2331
January 18
1 p.m. Eve of the Nativity at Holy Sepulchre
January 25
3 p.m. Vespers at St. James Cathedral
Photo: All About Jerusalem.com
January 26
8:30 a.m. High Mass at Holy Sepulchre
To attend midnight mass in Bethlehem you must submit a written request with the names of all the participants, nationality, denomination (Catholic, Protestant, etc.), and passport number to fpo@cicts.org, or by fax to 011-972-2-6286417.
Please note that there is always significantly more demand for tickets than availability. Therefore you must contact the Franciscan Pilgrims Office (Tel. 02-6272697) two weeks before Christmas to inquire whether tickets are available.
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