Israel is the heart of the Holy Land—the ground on which the Lord Jesus Christ walked. About 130,000-150,000 Orthodox Christians live here, under the omophorion of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the holiest city in the Christian world — the place of Christ's suffering, death and glorious Resurrection. From apostolic times to the present day, it has remained the spiritual center of millions of believers who recognize in it the living heart of their faith. Here is an impeccable, uninterrupted line of Christian worship and prayer, which has lasted for almost two thousand years. Numerous Christian traditions are active in Jerusalem, but a special place is occupied by Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, one of the four oldest churches of the East. Orthodoxy in Jerusalem is a living pillar of Christian tradition. The Holy Sepulcher, Golgotha, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Bethlehem — all these places preserve the precious heritage of Christ's life and redemptive work, which makes the city one of the greatest spiritual centers on earth. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as the fourth ancient patriarchate in honor, guards the holiest places of Christianity and has a special role in preserving the Orthodox tradition in the Holy Land. The Patriarch is the spiritual guardian of the Holy Sepulcher, Golgotha, and most of the Christian shrines in the old city. The Patriarchate governs numerous monasteries and brotherhoods, preserving the order of worship, the ancient Byzantine typicon, and the liturgical tradition. In its hands are some of the most important Christian relics, as well as manuscripts that testify to the history of the first centuries of the Church.
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ (Holy Sepulchre) is the holiest place in Christianity, built on the site where the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and celebrated His Resurrection. Under the protection of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the church preserves:
Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion, where believers can touch the stone on which the Holy Cross was erected.
Anointing stone, where Christ's body was prepared for burial.
Christ's Tomb, where the Resurrection took place and where Christians come from all over the world to worship.
Numerous relics associated with the Passion of the Lord.
The only one in the world, this temple hosts a mass every year on Holy Saturday. the miracle of the descent of the Holy Fire, which has confirmed and revived the faith of the people for centuries.
At the foot of the Mount of Olives is the Garden of Gethsemane, where Christ prayed before his betrayal. Here is where you will find:
Church of All Nations, built on the rock of Christ's prayer.
Tomb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the holiest places in the Orthodox tradition, where relics related to the Assumption are kept.
Monastery with church Saint Mary Magdalene, built in the Russian style, in which the relics of the holy empresses Elizabeth and Barbara rest.
Gethsemane is one of the most prayerful places in the Holy Land, where believers remember Christ's humility and His voluntary sacrifice.
At the top of the Mount of Olives is the Sanctuary of the Ascension, where the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven. Here is kept a stone with the footprint that, according to tradition, the Savior left during the Ascension.
There are several Orthodox monasteries and hermitages nearby, including:
Ascension Monastery, with an ancient church and cells that preserve the monastic tradition of the Holy Land.
Monastery People Galileans, dedicated to the appearance of the angel to the myrrh-bearing women.
From Jeleon, there is a view of the old city, as a reminder of Christ's words about peace and salvation of the world.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem administers a large number of monasteries, the most significant of which are:
One of the oldest and most austere monasteries in the Orthodox world. It was founded by Saint Sava the Sanctified in the 5th century. It is guarded by:
relics of Saint Sava the Sanctified,
the miraculous icon of the Mother of God,
numerous relics from the era of the great desert ascetics.
Built in the 6th century. The relics of Saint Theodosius rest in the monastery. According to tradition, the wise men from the East spent the night here.
According to tradition, it was erected on the spot where the tree from which the Holy Cross was later made grew.
Known for its liturgical tradition and ancient manuscripts that testify to the early centuries of the Church.
Christians in Jerusalem live in complex political conditions, but spiritual life continues to flourish. Monasteries maintain worship, monks and nuns receive pilgrims, and liturgies are celebrated in the languages of the entire Christian world. The Orthodox community remains the guardian of the holiest sites and the living bearer of the ancient tradition that makes Jerusalem irreplaceable in the life of every Christian.
Orthodoxy has existed in Lebanon since early Christian times, and since the 4th century these lands have belonged to the Patriarchate of Antioch — one of the oldest homes of Christianity. Today, Lebanon is home to about 300,000-350,000 Orthodox Arabs, whose spirit strongly marks the historical and spiritual culture of the country. Lebanon preserves the blessing of countless holy sites: the magnificent Saint George's Cathedral in Beirut, known for its miraculous icons, then ancient temples in Tripoli and cathedral churches from the time of the early Church. A special place is occupied by the monasteries in the sacred valley of Kadish — Monastery of Cosmas and Damian, Monastery of Saint Elias, as well as numerous forest hermitages inhabited by ascetics over the centuries. The position of the Orthodox is stable, but the challenges of the economic crisis are driving people out. Nevertheless, Lebanon remains a land of warmth, the scent of cedar and ancient prayer — a land that invites the believer to come, to worship and drink from the source of ancient Christianity.
Syria is the cradle of Christianity. From here the Apostle Peter set out on his journey to Antioch, from here the gospel message spread throughout the East. Today, about 500,000 Orthodox Arabs live in Syria. Syrian shrines breathe an ancient breath: Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Damascus, where numerous miraculous icons are kept; then Saint George monasteries in Homs and big Saidanaya women's monastery, in which it is kept one of the oldest icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary, according to tradition, painted by the holy apostle Luke. A special place is also occupied by the relics of saints - among them St. Ignatius the God-bearer, who have protected the faithful people of Syria for centuries. Although the country has suffered in war, Orthodox Christians in most areas under state control enjoy freedom of religion. Despite the suffering, churches are being rebuilt, and the people treasure their faith. Syria remains a holy land — a place of martyrs, apostles, and miraculous icons.
In Jordan, the land of the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ, The Orthodox have lived there since the earliest times. Today they make up about 1–2% of the population and belong to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Here are the holy places that every Orthodox heart wants to see: Monastery of Saint George in Madoba, with the famous mosaic map of the Holy Land; then the place of Christ's baptism on the Jordan River, where believers from all over the world gather to worship and receive the blessing of holy water. Orthodox Christians in Jordan live in peace, under the protection of the state, and actively participate in spiritual and public life. This is a land of biblical landscapes, desert monasteries and a deep peace that fills the souls of pilgrims.
Palestine is a country Manger and Birth — the land where God became incarnate. Today, about 40,000 – 50,000 Orthodox Arabs live here, preserving the faith of their fathers in difficult conditions. The most important shrines are: Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, one of the oldest active churches in the world. Underground, in a cave lit by lamps, is:
Silver star which marks the place where Christ was born.
Relics associated with the first years of Christ's life.
In the vicinity there is also Shepherd's field, the place where the angels announced the good news of Christ's Birth.
Then the temples in Hebron, where Old Testament relics are kept, numerous monasteries that have been preserved by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem throughout the centuries, including ancient desert monasteries such as Monastery of Saint Sava the Sanctified, Monastery of Saint Theodosius и Monastery of Saint George the Chozevit. Palestinian Orthodox Christians live under great pressure: in Gaza the situation is difficult and dangerous, while in the West Bank instability and emigration dominate. Nevertheless, the community is maintained, the services do not cease, and the faith remains strong. Palestine is a land of deep sorrow, but also of unspeakable joy — because in her the light of the world shone.
