NEWS BULLETIN
10 December 2013
CHRISTMAS 2013 FESTIVITIES IN THE HOLY LAND
Christmas in Jerusalem
With dozens of churches scattered throughout the Christian Quarter of the Old City
including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion, the
Tomb of the Virgin on Mount of Olives and the Garden Tomb just outside the Old City,
there are many Christmas services for tourists and visitors from which to choose,
including in different languages. Equally, the magical neighborhood of Ein Karem offers
a number of monasteries as well as the Church of John the Baptist for Christmas prayer.
Christmas Mass and Services:
For complete information on prayer services and languages, please access the website of
the Christian Information Center: http://www.cicts.org/?id=344 which lists Masses
and services taking place from December 24 - January 6th.
Information on Christmas prayer services in Catholic Churches:
http://www.cicts.org/default.asp?id=680
Information on Christmas prayer services in Lutheran, Anglican and Protestant
Churches:
http://www.cicts.org/default.asp?id=681
Information on Christmas prayer services in Orthodox Churches:
http://www.cicts.org/default.asp?id=682
Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Old City, Tel. +972-2-628-4202)
Christ Church (Jaffa Gate, Old City, Tel. +972-2-627-7727/9)
All services and programs are in English.
December 24: Christmas Eve Open House with worship in the church (6:00-10:00pm).
Nine Lessons and Carols & Communion (10:30pm)
December 25: Christmas Day Service (10:30am)
Christmas Lunch (1:00pm). There is an entrance fee.
Christmas in Bethlehem:
http://www.cicts.org/default.asp?id=687#b1629
IMOT-INFODESK
IMOT-infodesk@tourism.gov.il
The Israel Ministry of Tourism is not responsible for information or pictures, provided
by third parties, that appear in the news bulletin. The use of this news bulletin and
responsibility therefore falls solely upon the information providers.
NEWS BULLETIN
Visitors to Bethlehem, just six miles south of Jerusalem, get to experience the annual
Midnight Mass in the Basilica of the Nativity (tickets only), preceded by the ceremonial
welcoming of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to Bethlehem (1pm).
The Israel Ministry of Tourism will offer free transportation, helping pilgrims travelling
between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Buses will leave according to demand from Mar Elias
Monastery to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and back again and will operate
non-stop from noon on 24 December through to noon on 25 December.
Representatives from the Ministry of Tourism will welcome tourists and pilgrims at
Rachel’s Crossing with a gift bag containing a set of coasters depicting scenes of Israel
and chocolate in the spirit of the holiday.
Christmas Concerts:
Christmas Eve Concert at the YMCA
Tuesday, December 24th, 2013, at 7:00 pm
Jerusalem International YMCA Auditorium - 26 King David St., Jerusalem
Judi Axelrod, Conductor and Music Director.
Christmas carols performed by the Jerusalem A Cappella Singers, The Jerusalem
Oratorio Chamber Choir directed by Ofer Dalal, Jerusalem International YMCA
Palestinian and Israeli Youth Chorus directed by Mika Hendler.
Marina Ganshin, harp; Svetlana Bandikova, soprano; Rina Schechter – Piano.
Carillion (bell ringing) concert from the YMCA tower by Gabi Shefler.
Program: Schubert, Mozart, Debussy and seasonal finale with the traditional sing-along
of carols with the audience
Tickets
Tickets are 50 NIS. Tel: 972-2-6237000 . tickets@bimot.co.il
Hallelujah - Christmas Concert at Christ Church, Old City Jerusalem
December 27, 2013 10:30am
Hallelujah Concert with the Charlotta Corale of Tel Aviv.
The concert, performed by the “Charlotta Corale of Tel Aviv” choir, takes place in
Christ Church across the road from the Tower of David Museum. The classical music is
IMOT-INFODESK
IMOT-infodesk@tourism.gov.il
The Israel Ministry of Tourism is not responsible for information or pictures, provided
by third parties, that appear in the news bulletin. The use of this news bulletin and
responsibility therefore falls solely upon the information providers.
NEWS BULLETIN
a moving tribute to “A Hope for Peace and Friendship.” The ensemble performs
throughout the world.
Conductor, Eli Gefen, has a rich background in classical music as a leading baritone
soloist in Israel and a bassoon player in the Israel Cameri Orchestra.
For more information: www.towerofdavid.org.il or telephone: 972 2 6265333
Christmas in Nazareth
Nazareth hosts a traditional Christmas market, selling Christmas decorations, gifts etc, in
the area around Mary's Well. The festive lighting of the Christmas tree, located by the
Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, took place on 11 December. On
Christmas Eve, 24.12.13, the traditional parade of thousands of local youth, together
with the leaders of the Christian communities, will pass through Nazareth from 15:00.
The parade ends at the plaza in front of the Basilica with a firework display, sponsored
by the Tourism Ministry, to announce the opening of the festive Christmas celebrations
(17:30). Christmas Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of the Annunciation at 19:00.
On Christmas Day, all Catholic Churches in the city hold Mass services. At the Church
of the Annunciation the first Mass will begin at 07:00. At 10:00, a festive Mass will take
place.
Christmas in Tel Aviv-Yafo
The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality has placed a huge Christmas tree (15 meters high and
with a 6.5 meter diameter) in the Andromeda compound in Jaffa, between Yefet St and
Louis Pasteur St. The festive lighting took place on December 8 with fireworks and a
laser show and will stay lit throughout the month of December. Yefet Street will also be
lit with festive Christmas lights.
IMOT-INFODESK
IMOT-infodesk@tourism.gov.il
The Israel Ministry of Tourism is not responsible for information or pictures, provided
by third parties, that appear in the news bulletin. The use of this news bulletin and
responsibility therefore falls solely upon the information providers.