Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Holy Land - Palestinian (Patriarchal See of Jerusalem, Holy Land) Parishes Nativity Celebrations connected to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (Biet Lehem)

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Holy Land - Palestinian - (Patriarchal See of Jerusalem, Holy Land) Parishes - Nativity Celebrations connected to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (Biet Lehem)

The Latin Patriarchate in the Holy Land has many activities in Bethlehem during the Nativity cycle of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The schedule is on Christmas Catholic Celebrations in the Grotto of the Nativity and in St. Catherine's Church, Bethlehem Christian Information Service.

Events in Bethlehem on December 24 and December 25

Bands in Manager Square

The boy and girl scout bands begin arriving at Manager Square about 9 am. Each band marches to Manager Square, plays in Manager Square, and marches down Star Street to the Tomb of Rachel. The Guesthouse of the Roum Catholic Melkite Church on Star Street has a great view of the bands.

Welcome the Latin Patriarch into Bethlehem

The Latin Patriarch and his procession travel from the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The Latin Patriarch's procession begins with a car holding the flag of the Holy See and ends with the car holding the Latin Patriarch and the flag of the Holy See.
This procession is both religious and diplomatic. All the people in all cars are under the diplomatic protection of the Holy See. This statement means that they are allowed thru the Bethehem Checkpoint. In the 2004 procession, the procession was over 100 cars. Most cars held families and some cars were taxis.
About 1 pm, at the Tomb of Rachel near the Bethlehem Checkpoint, the Latin Patriarch and his procession is met by Latin Parish Priests of Bethlehem, representatives of Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, and boy and girl scout bands.

The Latin Patriarch's procession to Manger Square

The Latin Patriarch and his procession travel into Bethlehem. The procession is led by boy and girl scout bands. They walk up Star Street to the Manger Square. Again, the Guesthouse of the Roum Catholic Melkite Church has a great view of the procession.

The Latin Patriarch is welcomed at Manager Square

About 1:30 - 2 pm, the Latin Patriarch is welcomed at Manager Square. He proceeds to the Church of the Nativity.

The Latin Patriarch is welcomed at the Church of the Nativity

The Latin Patriarch is welcomed at the Church of the Nativity by the officials of the Church of the Nativity. He proceeds thru the Church of the Nativity to Saint Catherine's Church.

The Latin Patriarch celebrates the Pontifical Vespers

In Saint Catherine's Church, the Latin Patriarch celebrates the Pontifical Vespers. Afterwards, he stands at the entrance to Saint Catherine's Church and wishes every individual "Merry Christmas".

"Office of Readings"

About 10 pm, people with tickets are allowed into Saint Catherine's Church. At 11.10 pm in Saint Catherine's Church, the "Office of Readings" begins.

Midnight Mass

At midnight, the Latin Patriarch begins a "Pontifical Eucharistic Concelebration" at Saint Catherine's Church.

The Latin Patriarch takes Baby Jesus into the Grotto of the Nativity

Carrying a statue of baby Jesus, the Latin Patriarch processes from Saint Catherine's Church to the Grotto of the Nativity. He places the statue of baby Jesus into a special place and prays.

Midnight Mass requires a ticket

The event that is officially known as "Midnight: At St. Catherine: Pontifical Eucharistic Concelebration" is the only event that requires a ticket. There is no charge for the ticket. This free ticket is available from:

Latin Patriarchate
Latin Patriarchate Road, P.O.B. 14152, Jerusalem 91141
His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Patriarch
Chancellor: Abouna Shawki Baterian
Tel: 6272280, from the US: 011.972.2.6272280, local from outside Jerusalem: 02.6272280
Tel: 6282323, from the US: 011.972.2.6282323, local from outside Jerusalem: 02.6282323
Tel: 6271652, from the US: 011.972.2.6271652, local from outside Jerusalem: 02.6271652
Email: latinpat@actcom.co.il
Web site: http://www.lpj.org/
In the Christian Quarter, Old City of Jerusalem, by Jaffa Gate / Bab al-Jalil (Bab el Khalil)
Enter Old City of Jerusalem by Jaffa Gate / Bab al-Jalil (Bab el Khalil)
That street is David Street. Walk down David Street
Turn left at the first street, "Latin Patriarchate Road". Walk until the end of the "Latin Patriarchate Road". "Latin Patriarchate Road" ends in the driveway of the Latin Patriarchate.
Chrisian Information Centre
P.O.Box 14308, 91142 Jerusalem.
Tel: 6272692, from the US: 011.972.2.6272692, local from outside Jerusalem: 02.6272692
Fax: 6286417, from the US: 011.972.2.6286417, local from outside Jerusalem: 02.6286417
eMail: cicinfo@cicts.org
In the Armenian Quarter, Old City of Jerusalem, by Jaffa Gate / Bab al-Jalil (Bab el Khalil)
Enter Old City of Jerusalem by Jaffa Gate / Bab al-Jalil (Bab el Khalil)
That street is David Street. Walk down David Street
Turn right at the first street, "Armenian Patriarchate Road". Walk past several buildings. Chrisian Information Centre is on the right side accross from The Citadel (Tower of David).
Office hours: Monday through Saturday 8.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
Franciscan Pilgrims' Office:
contact them via the Chrisian Information Centre. They are in the same building
Office hours: Monday through Friday 8.30 a.m. - 13.00; and 15.30 - 17.30 Saturday 8.30 a.m. - 13.00

The Roum Catholic Melkite Church in Bethlehem

Information

Contact Information

Catholic Holy Masses in Jerusalem area, Greek Catholic Church Divine Liturgy Information Christian Information Center

Taxis

It seemed like taxis were always available in Manager Square.

Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center
Martha Liles
Web URL address: Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center or https://www.mliles.com/melkite/
E-mail: mliles@mliles.com or mliles@mliles.com

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles), Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck), and Donna (Donna Bertha Liles Campbell). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000, Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001, and Donna fell asleep in the Lord on March 9, 2020.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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Last Updated: Wednesday, June 03, 2020, 16:19:22, CDT
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