In the heart of Lebanon’s capital Beirut, the old streets of Achrafieh were always known for their buildings and houses’ beautiful architecture, houses that exhibit Beirut’s archeological history and hold sentimental meaning to all Lebanese. This part of Beirut was the most affected bythe blast of August 4, 2020. Today, roaming these streets after almost […]

Jameela is a Syrian woman; she just turned 35 and she lives in Damascus. In 2011, when the war started, she was 24 years-old and already mother of two children. Without a job, she devoted herself on home and children care, as many women did. Her husband Simonprovided for his family with occasional jobs. . […]

His voice is so confident and lively that you would never tell, by listening to him at the phone, that he is a man whose eyes witness a human tragedy in the Aegean Sea. Father John Luke Gregory is a Franciscan friar of the Custody of the Holy Land and Vicar General of the archdiocese […]

On Tuesday, the social report of Pro Terra Sancta for the year 2021 was definitively approved in Jerusalem by the Shareholders’ Assembly ( you can download it at this link ). In the meeting room of the convent of San Salvatore, the figures of the association’s commitment for last year were submitted to the attention […]

This is the most awaited moment of the Orthodox Christians’ Easter. Seven days after the Easter of Catholics and Protestants, the Holy Saturday of the varied mosaic of the Orthodox Christians announce the upcoming miracle in the heart of the Holy Sepulchre. The day before the Orthodox Easter, that this year according to the Julian […]

In occasion of Eastern celebrations, we would like to propose the video message of Br. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land and President of the Association pro Terra Sancta. “May the Lord reach eache and every one of you from this place with a special blessing and may the Risen Lord bring reconciliation and […]

The social report of Pro Terra Sancta for the year 2021 approved in Jerusalem by the Shareholders’ Meeting on Tuesday 26 April 2022. In the meeting room of the convent of San Salvatore, the figures of the association’s commitment for last year were submitted to the attention of Father Francesco Patton OFM, president of Pro […]

The streets of Bethany meander dustily up the slope of the Mount of Olives. The traffic, always congested and noisy, travels slowly night and day, under the watchful eye of the minarets and the huge apartment blocks that dot the city. Here, at a bend in the main road, half-hidden in the silent green of […]

Easter is now close. The Christian communities in Jerusalem are excited: the arrangements for the liturgies are bustling, the choir is completing the rehearsal, Churches and Sanctuaries are finally ready to welcome, after two years of pandemic, a great number of pilgrims. Even the shops along the Christian streets are preparing themselves: they are being […]

Living the Holy Week in the places of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ is a very special moment. In fact, it is in Jerusalem, that the places of the Christian faith are located and it is not surprising that every year thousands of believers and pilgrims gather here to follow the numerous celebrations […]

Living Easter in the Holy Land means to see first-hand the places of the life and Resurrection of Christ, breathing the origin of the Christian faith. In the land where God became man, a solemn and shared atmosphere is experienced during this period of Lent. All the pilgrims who follow the Christian celebrations in the […]

Today the Church celebrated the Annunciation of the Lord to a young woman from the small village of Nazareth. It is here where the divine Word became flesh in the womb of the Virgin betrothed to Joseph. The place of the Annunciation through the Archangel Gabriel is Nazareth for sure, and the Greek-Orthodox tradition considers […]

On Monday the 14th it was held the inauguration ceremony for the restoration works of the pavement of the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem. Full support was given by the three Christian Communities of the Holy Land: the Greek Orthodox, the Catholic and the Armenian one. In fact, some of the highest officials of all […]

Today marks the eleventh anniversary of the Syrian civil war, which began on March 15, 2011. It is estimated that as a result of the outbreak of the conflict, about 84% of the Syrian population lives below the poverty line. More than 14 million people are affected by the humanitarian crisis, and 57% of survivors […]

In these three weeks of conflict between Russia and Ukraine, there have been numerous references and comparisons in the news – often misused – with the Russian military operations in Syria and Chechnya. There has been talk of similar military tactics adopted in past conflicts, of weapons used, and comparisons have been made between the […]

From the queens, prostitutes, warriors and saints of the past to the commitment of today’s women in Palestinian civil society. There are few women we remember in our mythical or lived past, and those few are often mentioned just because they acted like men. This is also true for the territory of ancient Palestine, an […]

The youngsters in Lebanon might be in harsh pain; their stories are similar to dark alleys, in this country situation. It is good to shed some light on them. Some people have been struggling long before this burdensome economic crisis, and their situation today is even worse. The thought alone of children, teens, and young […]

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven”. (Matthew 6:1). Today’s Gospel, which commemorates the Ash Wednesday, the first day of Easter. It can be found in the famous “Sermon on the Mount”, that […]

Where does Carnival come from? Italy and most of the world are celebrating the lively Carnival in these days. The streets of Europe, United States, Canada and South America are ready to welcome exuberant colors, traditional costumes, masks and a lot of joy, which will culminate in the Shrove Tuesday. The celebration of Carnival was […]

“And there was light”, Vincenzo Bellomo, the head of Pro Terra Sancta’s projects in Palestine, jokingly observes as he sees the light bulbs hanging on the walls of the Dar al-Majus Community Home light up. It is indeed one of the final adjustments to the structure, which is now ready to be furnished and then, […]