The Catholic Church in Israel is part of the worldwide

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

, in full communion with the

Holy See The Holy See ( lat, Sancta Sedes, ; it, Santa Sede ), also called the See of Rome, Petrine See or Apostolic See, is the jurisdiction of the Pope in his role as the bishop of Rome. It includes the apostolic episcopal see of the Diocese of R ...

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

. The Catholic Church in Israel is divided into three main jurisdictions: the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, and the Salesian Mission. Each of these jurisdictions has its own responsibilities and areas of operation. A number of institutions and organizations serve the Catholic community. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is the main Catholic institution in Israel, and it is responsible for the pastoral care of Catholics in

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

, the

Palestinian territories The Palestinian territories are the two regions of the former British Mandate for Palestine that have been militarily occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967, namely: the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip. The ...

, and

Jordan Jordan ( ar, الأردن; tr. ' ), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,; tr. ' is a country in Western Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan Rive ...

. The patriarchate has a number of parishes, schools, and hospitals in the region, and it also operates the

Terra Sancta Museum The Terra Sancta Museum is a museum run by the Catholic Church Custody of the Holy Land, in the Old City of Jerusalem. First opened in 1902, then reopened in March 2016, the museum exhibits ancient artifacts, items and structures (fishing hooks, ...

in Jerusalem, which showcases the history and culture of the Holy Land. The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land is a Catholic religious order that is responsible for the care of the holy shrines in the Holy Land, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in

Jerusalem Jerusalem (; he, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם ; ar, القُدس ) (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names); grc, Ἱερουσαλήμ/Ἰεροσόλυμα, Hierousalḗm/Hierosóluma; hy, Երուսաղեմ, Erusałēm. i ...

and the

Church of the Nativity The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity,; ar, كَنِيسَةُ ٱلْمَهْد; el, Βασιλική της Γεννήσεως; hy, Սուրբ Ծննդեան տաճար; la, Basilica Nativitatis is a basilica located in B ...

Bethlehem Bethlehem (; ar, بيت لحم ; he, בֵּית לֶחֶם '' '') is a city in the central West Bank, Palestine, about south of Jerusalem. Its population is approximately 25,000,Amara, 1999p. 18.Brynen, 2000p. 202. and it is the capital o ...

. The Salesian Mission is another Catholic religious order that operates in Israel, particularly in the area of education and youth ministry. In addition to these institutions, there are a number of Catholic organizations and charities that operate in Israel, such as the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, which provides humanitarian assistance to Christians and other minority communities in the Middle East, and the

Catholic Relief Services Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Founded in 1943 by the Bishops of the United States, the agency provides assistance to 130 million people in more than 110 ...

, which works on issues such as poverty, education and health.

Overview

There are approximately 200,000 Christians in

and the

, representing about 1.5% of the total population. The largest Catholic Churches include 64,400 Greek Melkite Catholics, 32,200

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

Catholics, and 11,270

Maronite Catholics The Maronite Church is an Eastern Catholic Churches, Eastern Catholic ''sui iuris'' particular church in full communion with the pope and the worldwide Catholic Church, with self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. Th ...

. Jurisdictions of seven of the Catholic Churches overlap in Israel: the

Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian Diaspora, Armenian communities across the ...

, Chaldean, Greek Melkite, Latin (Roman), Maronite, and

Syriac Syriac may refer to: *Syriac language, an ancient dialect of Middle Aramaic *Sureth, one of the modern dialects of Syriac spoken in the Nineveh Plains region * Syriac alphabet ** Syriac (Unicode block) ** Syriac Supplement * Neo-Aramaic languages a ...

. The Coptic Catholic patriarchate also has representation in Israel and the Palestinian territories, as does the Franciscan

Custody of the Holy Land , native_name_lang = Latin , named_after= , image = Coat_of_arms_of_the_Custodian_of_the_Holy_Land.jpg , image_size = 200px , alt= , caption = Coat of arms of the Custody of the Holy Land , map ...

, the

Territorial Prelature A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal. In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or an ...

of the Notre Dame Center of Jerusalem, and the Personal prelature of Opus Dei, with jurisdictional presence. The Holy See is represented by the Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and the

Apostolic Delegate An apostolic nuncio ( la, nuntius apostolicus; also known as a papal nuncio or simply as a nuncio) is an ecclesiastical diplomat, serving as an envoy or a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or to an international o ...

in Jerusalem for Palestine. About 85% of the Catholics in Israel and the Palestinian territories are Arabic-speaking. In addition to a handful of chaplaincies for expatriate clergy, pilgrims, and workers, there is also a vicariate within the Latin Patriarchate ministering to

Hebrew Catholics Hebrew Catholics (in modern Israeli he, עברים קתולים ''Ivrím Katolím'') are a movement of Jews who converted to Catholicism and Catholics of non-Jewish origin who choose to keep Mosaic traditions in light of Catholic doctrine. The p ...

, i.e., converts to Catholicism of Jewish descent, or Hebrew-speaking Catholics born to immigrant workers, often from the Philippines.

Local jurisdictions

Dioceses

* Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem * Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchal Dependent Territory of Jerusalem * Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Akka *

Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Haifa and the Holy Land The Archeparchy of Haifa and the Holy Land (in Latin: Archieparchia Ptolemaidensis Maronitarum in the Holy Land) is a branch of the Maronite Church immediately subject to the Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites. Since 2012, it has been governed ...

Maronite Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Palestine Maronite Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Palestine is an exarchate of the Maronite Patriarchate of the Maronite Church immediately subject to the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Maronites. In 2017 there were 504 members. It is cur ...

Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman The Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem and Amman (colloquially Jerusalem of the Armenians) is the missionary pre-diocesan jurisdiction of the Armenian Catholic Church ''sui iuris'' (Eastern Catholic, Armenian Rite in Armenian l ...

* Syriac Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Jerusalem *See also: Chaldean Catholic Territory Dependent on the Patriarch of Jerusalem

Particular jurisdictions

* The Franciscan

has care of most of the Christian holy sites and shrines under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church. * The

of the Notre Dame Center of Jerusalem is considered an Ecumenical Holy Place and pilgrim hostel, under the direct jurisdiction of the Holy See, but in the care of the

Legion of Christ The Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ ( la, Congregatio Legionariorum Christi; abbreviated LC; also Legion of Christ) is a Roman Catholic clerical religious order made up of priests and candidates for the priesthood established by Marcia ...

since November 2004. * The Personal prelature of Opus Dei has a small regional vicariate in Jerusalem. Its members are under the jurisdiction of the prelature, though no territory is.

Parishes and communities

There are currently 103 Catholic parishes in Israel and the Palestinian Territories: * 43 Latin * 43 Greek Melkite * 14 Maronite * 2 Syrian * 1 Armenian There are additionally 8 language chaplaincies and 7 ethnic pastoral centers within the Latin Patriarchate: * 4 Hebrew-speaking * 2 German-speaking * 1 English-speaking * 1 French-speaking * 2 Filipino communities * 2 Russian communities * 1 African community * 1 Polish community * 1 Romanian community

Representatives of the Holy See

The Holy See is currently represented by an Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and an

in Jerusalem and Palestine. Since 1994, the same person serves in both offices, and also serves as Nuncio to Cyprus. Since 3 June 2021,

Adolfo Tito Yllana Adolfo Tito Camacho Yllana (born 6 February 1948) is a Philippine prelate of the Catholic Church who works in the diplomatic service of the Holy See. He has been an archbishop and apostolic nuncio since 2001, the Apostolic Nuncio to Israel as w ...

has served in both offices. In June 1762, a diplomatic relationship was established in Ottoman Syria, which also included the region of Palestine. In March 1929, the diplomatic brief for British Palestine was attached to the Delegate to Cairo. On 11 February 1948, with the

Papal brief A papal brief or breve is a formal document emanating from the Pope, in a somewhat simpler and more modern form than a papal bull. History The introduction of briefs, which occurred at the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Eugene IV (3 Marc ...

''Supreme Pastoris'', Pope Pius XII erected the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem and Palestine, Transjordan and Cyprus. On 30 December 1993, the Holy See and the State of Israel signed the Fundamental Agreement Between the Holy See and the State of Israel, the first agreement between the two States, and they formally established diplomatic relations in March 1994. The Holy See established the Apostolic Nuncio to Israel.

Supra-diocesan structures

Episcopal conferences

The Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land was established in 1992 at the initiative of the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem to foster unity within the Catholic Churches of the Holy Land. The regional episcopal conference for the Latin bishops is the

Conference of the Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions The Conference of the Latin Bishops of the Arabic Regions (CELRA) (French: Conférence des Evêques Latins dans les Régions Arabes) is an episcopal conference of the Catholic Church which gathers the Latin Church bishops in the Arab States of the ...

(CELRA), established in 1967.

Ecumenical participation

The Middle East Council of Churches represents 14 million Christians in the Middle East, covering 14 countries and including representatives from 27 churches or jurisdictions (3 Oriental Orthodox, 4 Eastern Orthodox, 7 Catholic, and 13 Protestant/Evangelical). The Heads of Churches in Jerusalem is a gathering of the patriarchs and other ordinaries of 13 of the local Christian churches in Jerusalem, including Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, Latin Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches.

Religious institutes

There are 1,764 members of religious orders and institutes of consecrated life in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The oldest of these is the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, established as a province in 1217. They are represented by the Committee of the Religious Men of the Holy Land and the Union of Religious Superiors of Women in the Holy Land.

Male religious

There are 540 male religious, representing the following congregations: * Assumptionists * Basilians * Benedictines

Dormition Abbey Abbey of the Dormition is a Catholic abbey belonging to the Benedictine Order in Jerusalem, on Mount Zion just outside the walls of the Old City near the Zion Gate. The Abbey is said to mark the spot where Mary, mother of Jesus, died. Between 1 ...

* Benedictines

Olivetan The Olivetans, formally known as the Order of Our Lady of Mount Olivet, are a monastic order. They were founded in 1313 and recognised in 1344. They use the Rule of Saint Benedict and are a member of the Benedictine Confederation, where they ar ...

* Clerical Society of the Most Holy Trinity at Mirinae * De La Salle Brothers *

Discalced Carmelites The Discalced Carmelites, known officially as the Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel ( la, Ordo Fratrum Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Beatae Mariae Virginis de Monte Carmelo) or the Order of Discalced Carme ...

* Families of the Visitation * Hospitaller Order of St. John of God * Institute of the Incarnate Word *

Jesuits , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders = ...

Lazarists , logo = , image = Vincentians.png , abbreviation = CM , nickname = Vincentians, Paules, Lazarites, Lazarists, Lazarians , established = , founder = Vincent de Paul , fou ...

Legionaries of Christ The Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ ( la, Congregatio Legionariorum Christi; abbreviated LC; also Legion of Christ) is a Roman Catholic clerical religious order made up of priests and candidates for the priesthood established by Marci ...

* Little Brothers of Jesus * Little Brothers of Jesus Caritas * Little Family of the Annunciation *

Missionaries of Charity The Missionaries of Charity ( la, Congregatio Missionariarum a Caritate) is a Catholic centralized religious institute of consecrated life of Pontifical Right for women established in 1950 by Mother Teresa, now known in the Catholic Church as ...

Contemplative * Monks of Bethlehem * Order of Friars Minor Capuchin *

Order of Preachers The Order of Preachers ( la, Ordo Praedicatorum) abbreviated OP, also known as the Dominicans, is a Catholic mendicant order of Pontifical Right for men founded in Toulouse, France, by the Spanish priest, saint and mystic Dominic of Cal ...

* Order of the Servants of Mary *

Passionists The Passionists, officially named Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (), abbreviated CP, is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men, founded by Paul of the Cross in 1720 with a special emphasis on and d ...

* Religious of Our Lady of Sion * Sacred Heart Fathers of Betharram *

Salesians of Don Bosco , image = File:Stemma big.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms , abbreviation = SDB , formation = , founder = John Bosco , founding_location = Valdocco, Turi ...

* Servants of Charity * Sons of Divine Providence *

Trappists The Trappists, officially known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance ( la, Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris Observantiae, abbreviated as OCSO) and originally named the Order of Reformed Cistercians of Our Lady of La Trappe, are a ...

White Fathers , image = Cardinal Lavigerie.jpg , caption = Charles Lavigerie , abbreviation = M.Afr. , nickname = White Fathers , formation = , founder = Archbishop Charles-Martial Allem ...

Female religious

There are 1,079 female religious, from the following congregations:

Other Institutes of Consecrated Life

There are 145 members of other institutes of consecrated life: * Association Fraternelle Internationale *

Bose Monastic Community The Bose Monastic Community () is an ecumenical community founded by Enzo Bianchi in 1965 at Bose, a frazione in the commune of Magnano, Italy. In 2020 the Holy See ordered four members, including Bianchi, to separate from the community. Histo ...

* Chemin Neuf Community * Comunione e Liberazione * Community Cancao Nova * Community Obra de Maria *

Community of Sant'Egidio The Community of Sant'Egidio ( it, Comunità di Sant'Egidio) is a lay Catholic association dedicated to social service, founded in 1968 under the leadership of Andrea Riccardi. The group grew and in 1973 was given a home at the former Carmelit ...

* Community of the Beatitudes *

Emmanuel Community The Emmanuel Community is a Catholic association of the faithful of pontifical right, founded in 1972 by Pierre Goursat and Martine Lafitte-Catta, starting from a prayer group belonging to the Catholic charismatic renewal. History The Emmanuel ...

* Focolare * Koinonia John the Baptist Community *

Neocatechumenal Way The Neocatechumenal Way, also known as the Neocatechumenate, or NCW (colloquially, The Way or Neo-Cats) is an association of the Christian faithful within the Catholic Church. It was formed in Madrid in 1964 by Kiko Argüello and Carmen Hern� ...

Regnum Christi Regnum Christi, officially the Regnum Christi Federation (Latin: Regnum Christi Foederationis) is an international Catholic Federation. It is open to all lay Catholics and in addition has three consecrated branches, the Legion of Christ (seminari ...

* Sermig Brotherhood of Hope * Shalom Catholic Community

Lay organizations and institutes

Catholic scouting and youth ministry

* 2,500 members in 16 troops of the Catholic Scout Association in Israel * 2,500 members in 12 troops of the Palestinian Catholic Scouts of Saint John the Baptist * Young Catholic Students (Jeunesse Étudiante Catholique)

Lay ecclesial movements

* 135 members of the

* 16 members of '' Comunione e Liberazione'' * members of the personal prelature of Opus Dei

Medical and social services

There are: * 9 charitable and humanitarian organizations * 7 hospitals * 7 centers for the disabled * 6 orphanages * 5 homes for the elderly

Military and hospitaller orders

Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem ( la, Ordo Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani, links=yes, OESSH), also called Order of the Holy Sepulchre or Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, is a Catholic order of knighthood under ...

of Jerusalem *

Sovereign Military Order of Malta The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), officially the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta ( it, Sovrano Militare Ordine Ospedaliero di San Giovanni di Gerusalemme, di Rodi e di Malta; ...

Universities and educational institutes

* Studium Theologicum Jerosolymitanum, Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, founded 1866. *

École Biblique École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem, commonly known as École Biblique, is a French academic establishment in Jerusalem specializing in archaeology and Biblical exegesis. History Foundation The school was founded in 1890 ...

, Dominicans, founded 1920. *

Studium Biblicum Franciscanum Studium Biblicum Franciscanum (English: Franciscan Biblical Studies) is a Franciscan academic society based in Jerusalem. It is a center of biblical and archaeological research and studies. Organization Founded in 1924, the Studium Biblicum Fr ...

, Pontifical University Antonianum,

Franciscans , image = FrancescoCoA PioM.svg , image_size = 200px , caption = A cross, Christ's arm and Saint Francis's arm, a universal symbol of the Franciscans , abbreviation = OFM , predecessor = , ...

, founded 1924. * College of Ancient Near East Studies of the

Pontifical Biblical Institute The Pontifical Biblical Institute (also known as Biblicum) is a research and postgraduate teaching institution specialised in biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies. It is an institution of the Holy See entrusted to the Society of Jesus. His ...

Jesuits , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders = ...

, founded 1927. * Latin Patriarchal Seminary of Jerusalem, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, founded 1936. * Casa de Santiago - Instituto Español Bíblico y Arqueológico, Spanish Bishops' Conference and

Pontifical University of Salamanca The Pontifical University of Salamanca (in Spanish: ''Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca'') is a private Roman Catholic university based in Salamanca, Spain. History This Pontifical University has its origins in the unique University of ...

, founded 1955. *

Tantur Ecumenical Institute Tantur Ecumenical Institute is an international ecumenical institute for advanced theological research in Jerusalem. Goals and objectives "No one climbs up to Tantur except to follow a vocation, the same vocation that led on the pioneers of ecum ...

University of Notre Dame The University of Notre Dame du Lac, known simply as Notre Dame ( ) or ND, is a private Catholic university, Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, outside the city of South Bend, Indiana, South Bend. French priest Edward Sorin fo ...

, founded 1972. *

Bethlehem University Bethlehem University ( ar, جامعة بيت لحم) is a Catholic university in the city of Bethlehem in the West Bank, Palestine. It is the first university founded in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. History Established under Israel ...

, De La Salle Brothers, founded 1973. * German Institute of Biblical and Theological Studies,

, Benedictines, founded 1973. * Bat Kol Institute, Sisters of Sion, founded 1983 * Center for Biblical Formation, Ecce Homo, Sisters of Sion, founded 1984 * Institut Albert Decourtray for Studies in Judaism and Hebrew Literature, École cathédrale de Paris, founded 1991 * Studium Theologicum Galilaeae "Redemptoris Mater", Neocatechumenal Way, founded 2009. * Polis Institute of Languages and Humanities,

Pontifical University of the Holy Cross Pontifical University of the Holy Cross ( la, Pontificia Universitas Sanctae Crucis, it, Pontificia Università della Santa Croce) is a Roman Catholic university under the Curial Congregation for Catholic Education, now entrusted to the Prela ...

, Opus Dei, founded 2011. * Studium Theologicum Salesianum,

Salesian Pontifical University The Salesian Pontifical University (; ) is a pontifical university in Italy run by the Salesians of Don Bosco. It has three campuses, one in Rome, one in Turin, and one in Jerusalem. The Salesian Pontifical University is an ordinary member of th ...

Salesians of Don Bosco , image = File:Stemma big.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms , abbreviation = SDB , formation = , founder = John Bosco , founding_location = Valdocco, Turi ...

, founded 2011. There are, additionally, 71 primary and secondary schools

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage services

* Christian Information Centre, founded 1973. * Episcopal Commission for Christian Pilgrimages * Franciscan Pilgrim's Office, founded 2009. * Latin Patriarchate Pilgrimages

Shrines and holy sites

* Church of the Resurrection, Jerusalem - ''Franciscans share custody of Christianity's holiest site along with the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Syriac Orthodox Churches.'' * Bethphage, Jerusalem, Franciscans * Cenacle, Jerusalem, Franciscans * Dominus Flevit, Jerusalem, Franciscans * Dormition Abbey, Jerusalem, Benedictines * Flagellation Church, Jerusalem, Franciscans * Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Franciscans * Pater Noster Church, Jerusalem, Carmelite Nuns * St. Anne Church, Jerusalem, Missionaries of Africa * St. Peter in Gallicantu, Jerusalem, Assumptionists * St. Stephen Church, Jerusalem, Dominicans * Via Dolorosa 3rd Station, Jerusalem, Armenian Catholics * Via Dolorosa 4th Station, Jerusalem, Armenian Catholics * Via Dolorosa 5th Station, Jerusalem, Franciscans * Via Dolorosa 6th Station, Jerusalem, Little Sisters of Jesus * Via Dolorosa 7th Station, Jerusalem, Franciscans * Emmaus of the Crusaders, Abu Gosh, Benedictines * Shepherd's Field, Beit Sahour, Franciscans * St. Lazarus, Bethany, Franciscans * Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Franciscans * Milk Grotto, Bethlehem, Franciscans * First Miracle Church, Cana, Franciscans * House of Peter, Capernaum, Franciscans * Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem, Franciscans * St. John in the Desert, Ein Karem, Franciscans * Stella Maris, Haifa, Carmelites * Baptism of Our Lord, Jordan River, Franciscans * Emmaus Nicoplis, Latrun, Betharram/Beatitudes * Duc in Altum, Migdal, Legion of Christ * Sermon on the Mount, Mount of Beatitudes, Franciscan Sisters of IHM * Sacrifice of Elijah, Muhraqa, Carmelites * Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Franciscans * Church of St. Joseph, Nazareth, Franciscans * Synagogue Church, Nazareth, Greek Melkite Catholics * Emmaus Qubeibeh, Qubeibeh, Franciscans * Church of Nicodemus, Ramleh, Franciscans * Multiplication of the Loaves, Tabgha, Benedictines * Primacy of Peter, Tabgha, Franciscans * Transfiguration, Mount Tabor, Franciscans * House of Parables, Taybeh, * Church of St. Peter, Tiberias, Koinonia Giovanni Battista

Pilgrimage centers in Jerusalem

* Armenian Guest House * Austrian Hospice of the Holy Family * Dom Polski (Musrara) * Dom Polski (Old City) * Ecce Homo, Sisters of Sion * Franciscan Missionaries of Mary * Knight's Palace * Maison d'Abraham * Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center * Paulus-Haus * Rosary Sisters (Mamila) * Rosary Sisters (Old City) * Saint Charles German Hospice * Saint Maroun Guesthouse * Saint Thomas Center * Tantur Ecumenical Institute

Pilgrim's decorations

* Pilgrim's Shell,

* Jerusalem Pilgrim's Cross, Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land

Popes, saints, martyrs

Saints and Martyrs

Mary of Nazareth Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...

, Theotokos * Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles *

Andrew Andrew is the English form of a given name common in many countries. In the 1990s, it was among the top ten most popular names given to boys in List of countries where English is an official language, English-speaking countries. "Andrew" is freq ...

, Apostle *

Bartholomew Bartholomew (Aramaic: ; grc, Βαρθολομαῖος, translit=Bartholomaîos; la, Bartholomaeus; arm, Բարթողիմէոս; cop, ⲃⲁⲣⲑⲟⲗⲟⲙⲉⲟⲥ; he, בר-תולמי, translit=bar-Tôlmay; ar, بَرثُولَماو� ...

, Apostle * Matthew, Apostle * Jude/Thaddeus, Apostle *

Simon the Canaanite Simon the Zealot (, ) or Simon the Canaanite or Simon the Canaanean (, ; grc-gre, Σίμων ὁ Κανανίτης; cop, ⲥⲓⲙⲱⲛ ⲡⲓ-ⲕⲁⲛⲁⲛⲉⲟⲥ; syc, ܫܡܥܘܢ ܩܢܢܝܐ) was one of the most obscure among the Apostl ...

, Apostle *

James the Greater James the Great, also known as James, son of Zebedee, Saint James the Great, Saint James the Greater, Saint James the Elder, or Saint Jacob (Aramaic ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܪ ܙܒܕܝ, Arabic يعقوب, Hebrew בן זבדי , '' Yaʿăqōḇ'', Latin '' ...

, Apostle, c.44 *

James the Less James the Less ( grc-gre, Ἰάκωβος ὁ μικρός ) is a figure of early Christianity, one of the Twelve chosen by Jesus. He is also called "the Minor", "the Little", "the Lesser", or "the Younger", according to translation. He is not to ...

, Apostle, c.62 *

Thomas Thomas may refer to: People * List of people with given name Thomas * Thomas (name) * Thomas (surname) * Saint Thomas (disambiguation) * Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and Doctor of the Church * Thomas the A ...

, Apostle, c.72 * Philip, Apostle, c.80 *

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

, Apostle, c.100 * James the Just, first Bishop of Jerusalem, c.69 *

Simeon of Jerusalem Simeon of Jerusalem was a Jewish Christian leader and according to most Christian traditions the second Bishop of Jerusalem (63 or 70–107 or 117), succeeding James, brother of Jesus. Simeon is sometimes identified with Simon, brother of Jesu ...

, bishop, c.107 * Matthias of Jerusalem, bishop, c.120 *

Narcissus of Jerusalem Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem (c. 99 (reputedly) – c. 216) was an early patriarch of Jerusalem. He is venerated as a saint by both the Western and Eastern Churches. In the Roman Catholic Church, his feast day is celebrated on October 29, while ...

, bishop, c.216 *

Alexander of Jerusalem Alexander of Jerusalem (died 251 AD) was a third century bishop who is venerated as a martyr and saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Roman Catholic Church. He died during the persecution of Emperor Deciu ...

. bishop, c.251 * Zamudas of Jerusalem, bishop, c.301 *

Macarius of Jerusalem Macarius I ( el, Μακάριος Α' Ἱεροσολύμων ''Makarios I Hierosolymōn''); was Bishop of Jerusalem from 312 to shortly before 335, according to Sozomen. He is recognized as a saint within the Orthodox and Catholic churches. ...

, bishop, c.333 *

Maximus of Jerusalem Saint Maximus of Jerusalem (Maximus III of Jerusalem) was an early Christian saint and bishop of Jerusalem from roughly 333 AD to his death in 347 AD. He was the third bishop of Jerusalem named Maximus, the other two being in the latter half o ...

, bishop, c.350 * Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop, c.383 * Elias of Jerusalem, patriarch, c.518 *

Zosimas of Palestine Zosimas of Palestine ( el, Ζωσιμᾶς) (Palestinian Arabic: زوسيموس الفلسطيني), is commemorated as a Palestinian saint. His feast day is on the 4 of April. Biography Zosimas was born in the second half of the fifth centu ...

, monk, c.560 (Feast: 4 April) *

Sophronius of Jerusalem Sophronius ( grc-gre, Σωφρόνιος; ar, صفرونيوس; c. 560 – March 11, 638), called Sophronius the Sophist, was the Patriarch of Jerusalem from 634 until his death. He is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Ch ...

, patriarch, d.638

Unnamed martyrs

* 33 Martyrs, c.70 (Feast: 16 August) * Monks slain by Arab invaders, c.410 (Feast: 28 May) * Hermits slain by Saracen invaders, c.509 (Feast: 19 February) * 1500 Martyrs of Samaria, c.614 (Feast: 22 June) * 44 hermits of St. Sabbas Monastery, c.614 (Feast: 16 May)

Popes

The Popes who were born in, or first ministered in, the Holy Land: *

Saint Peter ) (Simeon, Simon) , birth_date = , birth_place = Bethsaida, Gaulanitis, Syria, Roman Empire , death_date = Between AD 64–68 , death_place = probably Vatican Hill, Rome, Italia, Roman Empire , parents = John (or Jonah; Jona) , occupat ...

the Apostle, c.64 * Pope Evaristus, c.99-107 *

Pope Theodore I Pope Theodore I ( la, Theodorus I; died 14 May 649) was the bishop of Rome from 24 November 642 to his death. His pontificate was dominated by the struggle with Monothelitism. Early career According to the '' Liber Pontificalis'', Theodore was ...

, 642-649 *

Pope Urban IV Pope Urban IV ( la, Urbanus IV; c. 1195 – 2 October 1264), born Jacques Pantaléon, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 August 1261 to his death. He was not a cardinal; only a few popes since his time hav ...

, 1261-1264

References

External links

The Holy See

Catholic Church in the Holy Land

Catholic Church in the Holy Land, Statistics

Armenian Catholic Church

Chaldean Catholic Church

Coptic Catholic Church

Greek Melkite Catholic Church

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Maronite Catholic Church

Syriac Catholic Church

Saint James Vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics in Israel

Catholic Near East Welfare Association

Tantur Ecumenical Institute

Raymond Cohen, ''Israel and the Holy See Negotiate: A Case Study in Diplomacy across Religions''

* [http://www.cnewa.org/default.aspx?ID=123&pagetypeID=9&sitecode=HQ&pageno=1 Ron Roberson, CSP, ''The Eastern Christian Churches: A Brief Survey, 7th Edition''] {{DEFAULTSORT:Catholic Church in Israel Catholic Church in Israel, Catholic Church by country, Israel