Archbishop Sarah began the day visiting the Church of the Nativity, where she prayed in the Grotto of the Nativity, the place where Jesus was born. The Archbishop was welcomed by the Greek Orthodox Archbishop, His Eminence Metropolitan Benedictos of Diocesarea.
Following the visit, Archbishop Sarah said:
“Here in Bethlehem, the place where Jesus was born, we remember that God chose to enter into our world – and that he is always with us.
“I’m grateful to Archbishop Benedictus for receiving us so graciously, and for telling us about the struggles of the local church and wider community here. We also spoke of how the Church is called always to share the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
“From the manger, Jesus proclaims, meekly but powerfully, the beginning of a new world where the poor, the sick, the excluded and the marginalised are brought into the very heart of God.
“As Christians we are called to solidarity with each other as members of God’s family. Fewer pilgrims have been visiting Bethlehem in recent years, as wars continue to blight the region. As I pray for justice and peace in this land, I want to encourage Christians everywhere to remember our Christian sisters and brothers in Bethlehem – and to stand alongside them in prayerful solidarity.
“In my prayers today especially are the Christians of Bethlehem and the Holy Land, and all the peoples they are called to love and serve.”
Archbishop Sarah then travelled to the Tent of Nations, an educational and ecological farm owned by Palestinian Christian farmer Daoud Nasser and his family. Despite being located just outside Bethlehem, it is an increasingly difficult journey, owing to restrictions and checkpoints.
Archbishop Sarah spent time with the Nasser family, hearing from Daoud that while his farm has been in his family for over 100 years, the Israeli authorities declared in 1991 that it would be made State land. Since then, Daoud been engaged in a protracted legal case to re-register and protect their land. Despite their daily challenges, the family live by the guiding principle: “We Refuse to Be Enemies.”
During the visit, Archbishop Sarah planted an olive tree on the farm as a symbol of hope for justice and peace.
Reflecting on her visit to the Tent of Nations, the Archbishop said: “It was a privilege to meet and pray with the Nasser family today. They are an example of creative, hopeful, Christian resistance to injustice, and they need the support of Christians around the world.
“At a time when many Palestinian Christians are leaving, olive trees are a symbol of their deep roots in this land. As this tree grows, I pray that peace grows too in Palestine and Israel. Please pray for the Nasser family, Palestinian Christians and all those working for a just peace in the Holy Land.”
At St George’s College, Archbishop met with members of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center and Rabbis for Human Rights to hear about their Faithful Futures programme, and discuss working together across faith communities for human rights, justice and peace in Israel and Palestine.
