St Nicholas, Major Seminary, Hebrew Parish, Taizé

These past days were quite serene after the hectic days that I had the previous week which included the visit to Bethlehem and to Galilee and the Golan Heights. However, I still had an opportunity to make some very meaningful experiences here in the Holy Land.

The beautiful Icon which adorns the Iconostasis
\of the Orthodox Church dedicated to St Nicholas in Beit Jala

St Nicholas

I wanted to give the feast of St Nicholas a local touch. In the past days, doing some research on the internet, I found out that there is a tradition which says that St Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, has visited the Holy Land and, while here, he stayed in a grotto quite close to Bethlehem in the city called Beit Jala (some 2 kilometers away from the nativity grotto). It seems that this formed part of a monastery which was built on this site as early as the third century. Today, the Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas is built on this grotto. 

The Grotto where it is believed that St Nicholas stayed
for about three years while visiting the Holy Land

The present Church dates back to 1925. According to the website of the Beit Jala Municipality, “the church shows off much of the work of Beit Jala’s famous stone masons, including a magnificent Iconostas, considered a masterpiece of stone iconography”. The reliquary has manna brought over from Bari (Italy), where the tomb of St Nicholas is found.

The Orthodox Church of St Nicholas at Beit Jala

The inside of the Church of St Nicholas

The Reliquary with the Manna of St Nicholas, brought from Bari (Italy)
where the Saint is buried.

The Greek Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of St Nicholas on December 19, since they follow the Justinian Calendar. There is a whole programme of activities leading up to St Nicholas’ Day.

The Poster with the Programme of Activities in preparation for St Nicholas' Day
The Orthodox celebrate this feast on December 19.

He is considered to be the Protector of Beit Jala. It is said that following the declaration of independence by Israel in 1948, “no bombs reached Beit Jala. Only the tower of the St. Nicholas Church was damaged. We know it was St. Nicholas that saved Beit Jala from any problems.” In one particular icon, there are depictions of three other instances when St Nicholas protected the city from bombs: one refers to the six-day war in 1967, another to the first intifada and the third to the rescue of a young Muslim man. The sacristan of the Church narrated the story of this young man. He said that he was close to the Church when he heard someone telling him to move out, because that was a dangerous place. Turning around, he saw no one. Again he heard the voice but hesitated to move. Finally, a mysterious hand led him away from the place. As soon as they moved a shell fell right where he was standing.

The Icon which depicts the protection of St Nicholas of Beit Jala

It is quite common to hear such sentiments as this one when speaking to Beit Jala residents: “We love St. Nicholas. He has special feelings in his heart for all the people of Beit Jala. All the people here wait for this day.” I was told that there are many who carry the name of Nicholas in Beit Jala.

Major Seminary

Right across the road from the Orthodox Church is the Seminary of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. This seminary has been built in the mid-19^th century. There are, at the moment, 31 seminarians studying here. The Latin Patriarchate covers a number of countries including Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Syria. There are also three other seminarians who are studying in other seminaries in Europe.

The Major Seminary Community Chapel

We were shown around the Seminary by the Rector Fr Adib Zoomot. We had also the chance to greet some of the seminarians who were in-between lectures.

With the Rector of the Seminary of the Latin Patriarchate.
From right: Myself, Fr Joseph OFM (Hong Kong); Fr Luis (Korea);
Fr Abid (Rector); Fr Issa (from Jordan, studying in Jerusalem)

An artist has also made an icon of Jesus dressed as a seminarian in the hands of Mary. The original icon is placed in the library, while a copy of it is placed in the Major Seminary Chapel.

Jesus dressed as a Seminarian
Icon venerated at the Seminary in Beit Jala

The main Church of the building serves as the Catholic Parish Church for Beit Jala.

The Wall dividing Israel from the Palestinian Territories
features high in cribs done in the area!
This crib is in front of the Parish Church in Beit Jala

Hebrew-Speaking Parish

On Tuesday, I had the occasion to be present for the celebration of the Eucharist of the Hebrew Parish of the Latin Patriarchate. They meet in the parish house which is situated at 10, Rav Kook Street, close to Jaffa Street. Originally this was a Franciscan Convent dedicated to St Simeon and St Anne. The community leader was then Father Pier Battista Pizzaballa OFM, who is now the Custodian of the Holy Land. At present, the priest in charge of the Jerusalem community (kehilla) is Father Piotr Zelazko, while Fr David Neuhaus (an Israeli Jesuit) is the Vicar for the Hebrew communities (kehillot). Mass is celebrated daily at 6.30 pm. The Jerusalem community consists of Israelis and members from other countries.

The Church of the Hebrew-speaking Catholic Community (kehilla)
in Jerusalem

When I visited there was also a group of pilgrims from Australia who attended Mass, as well as a group of young Jewish students who are doing a course on Christianity. Fr Zelacko presided the Eucharist. There were three other priests con-celebrating, including Fr Neuhaus.

I was invited to this community by an Italian young man, Benedetto, who decided to become a seminarian preparing himself to serve these Hebrew-speaking Catholic communities in the State of Israel. There are six such communities in Israel.

These form part of the Association of Saint James, which was founded in 1955. Saint James was the head of the Jerusalem community of believers in Jesus at the time of the apostles. A pious Jew, he worked to establish a community made up of Jews and non-Jews, united in their common faith in Jesus as the Messiah (see the Book of Acts, chapter 15). For those interested to learn more about these communities can visit this website: http://www.catholic.co.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1&lang=en

Taizé Meeting

On Sunday evening, I attended a Taizé Prayer Meeting at the Ratisbonne Salesian Monastery, here in Jerusalem. This prayer meeting is held every month. Bro Emile, from the community of Taizé participated in the meeting. In the morning, Bro Emile gave also a beautiful presentation of the Taizé community and its particular charism to the Franciscan students at San Salvatore Monastery.

The Taize' Meeting in Jerusalem

Holy Sepulchre

On Monday, as part of our excursions to several places in Jerusalem with Prof. Eugenio Alliata, we visited the area around the Holy Sepulchre and then within the Church itself. It was a very interesting visit which exposed the complex history of this very sacred place for Christians of all denominations. A particularity which struck my attention was within the Russian Orthodox Monastery annexed to the Holy Sepulchre. Some excavations were made there and they found what they call the Judgement Gate. They claim that Jesus passed through that Gate on his way out of the Old City to the area called Golgotha. However, Prof. Alliata said that this gate comes from a later period to that of Jesus.

The Judgement Gate within the Russian Orthodox Monastery

Anglican Religious

A final note: this week I had the privilege to sit for meals side by side to Bro Clark Berge SSF, the Minister General of the Society of St Francis. These are Franciscan Brothers in the Anglican Communion. They were founded around 100 years ago. There exists also a female section. Speaking about several things, he told me that, more or less, they follow the Catholic Liturgical Calendar, including the Marian feasts, such as the Assumption of Mary (some call it Lady's Day) and the Immaculate Conception. It was truly an enriching experience to have had the possibility to share this time with Bro Clark.

The Refectory at San Salvatore Monastery
where I have been warmly welcomed by the Franciscans.