Day 7 - Oct 5 (Monday)

6:30am departure for the Liturgy in Betlehem in the church of the Nativity.
We stood in the space of the Manger and the Star of Betlehem (the altar for the Divine Liturgy was over the Star).

Afterwards, we stopped at the Russian mission's hotel and had breakfast and coffee in the nice lobby. Bought a big bag of hyssop (a spice for tomatoes and cucumbers).

From the terrace, there was a beautiful panorama of Betlehem, where we took pictures.

Then we try to go to the church dedicated to St. Nicholas (Amsterdam parish is St. Nicholas). It is in the near by city of Beit Jala, where St. Nicholas lived. He keeps protecting the city over the centuries and all people of Beit Jala love him. We could not get into the church, since the priest was absent and did not answer the phone. Maybe next time....

Next we went to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, to the house of Last Supper where the Lord established the Mystery of Communion. He also appeared in this room to the Apostles after the Ressurection. And 50 days after Ressurection the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles at Pentecost.

Next was visit to the German church of the Dormition Abbey:

Walk through Jewish Quarter with Fr. Alberto:

On the way back to meeting spot near Jaffa gate some of us make one more visit to look in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.