Jerusalem Patriarch leads Nativity of the Theotokos feast in Bethesda

The feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos was celebrated on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Holy Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Bethesda, near Bethlehem. The religious observance, which follows the ecclesiastical calendar's September 8 date, was led by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

Upon his arrival, the Patriarch was welcomed at the Bethesda Monastery by Archimandrite Ignatius and other local clergy. The Divine Liturgy was attended by a large number of faithful and included several high-ranking clergy, including Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolia and Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantine. The Georgian Consul in Tel Aviv was also in attendance.

Additional celebrations took place at the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos at the Gethsemane site, where Archbishop Theophanes of Gerasos presided over the Divine Liturgy.