Category Archives: Holy Land

In week of wonders, Melkite wedding was one of the best

Posted on April 20, 2015 by

By Mark Pattison ADER, Jordan — Melkite Catholic Father Boulos Paul, we were told, was too busy to accommodate an audience of about a dozen writers and bloggers on religion. He is, after all, the pastor of two parishes, one … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, Holy Land

Meeting with Holocaust survivors — in living rooms

Posted on April 17, 2015 by

By Mary Knight TEL AVIV — A variation on the serious theme of Holocaust testimony has brought survivors and young Israeli students together in living rooms to celebrate life while remembering atrocities. Coordinated by Zikaronbasalon, Memories at Home, hundreds of … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, Holy Land

Petra: Of ancient history and context

Posted on April 16, 2015 by

By Mark Pattison PETRA, Jordan –- Imagine going to your parish’s mission to hear a guest preacher speak, but your parish is in the Holy Land. That’s what it’s like when you tour an archaeological find like Petra – which … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, Holy Land

In midst of refugee hardship, there is kindness and laughter

Posted on October 28, 2014 by

Editor’s Note: The author is international editor at Catholic News Service and is on a reporting trip to the Middle East sponsored by Catholic Relief Services. AMMAN, Jordan – The stories sound so much alike one might think they were … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, Holy Land | 3 Comments

From Gaza, pain and weariness in the voice of a pastor

Posted on July 29, 2014 by

By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM — I have not been able to reach Father Jorge Hernandez, the Argentine priest of Gaza’s Holy Family Parish, for some days now. In the morning yesterday I spoke with one of the Sisters of Mercy … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, Holy Land | 6 Comments

The more personal side of a patriarch

Posted on May 26, 2014 by

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, considered first among equals of all Orthodox patriarchs, arrived in the Holy Land May 23. As he was waiting for his historic visit with Pope Francis, the patriarch visited Bethlehem, West Bank, and led a … Continue reading →

Posted in clients, CNS, Holy Land

Heads up: Don’t read this blog if you’re hungry

Posted on May 24, 2014 by

By Judith Sudilovsky BETHLEHEM, West Bank — When Casa Nova head Chef Elias Akroush, 33, learned that Pope Francis would be lunching with five Palestinian families at the pilgrim guesthouse where he directs the kitchen, he knew he would turn … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, Holy Land, papal trip | 1 Comment