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Latin Church in Taybeh
Since Septembre 2002, Fr. Raed Abusahlia is the parish priest of the latin church of Taybeh, the largest of the three parishes of the village in terms of number of parishioners.
The Latin Convent which regroups the church, the presbytery, the catholic school, the Caritas medical center, the sister's house and the pilgrims' hostel, is one of the important spots of the village.
The choir, directed by sister Victoire |
With around a 100 groups of pilgrims coming every year to Taybeh, the parishioners are quite used to see foreigners from all over the world celebrate sunday mass with them.
The presence of a pilgrims' hostel in Taybeh, opened in 1986, is one of the reasons why pilgrims choose to come. But most importantly is the fact that Jesus himself went to Taybeh 2000 years ago and that today Taybeh is the sole 100% Christian village left in the Holy Land.
During Sunday Mass, the chants are sung by the two children's and teenagers' choirs of Taybeh.
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Reception room for pilgrims, decorated as a Bedouin tent |
Whatever the purpose of you visit to Taybeh, Fr. Raed invites all groups coming to Taybeh to take the time to talk and exchange with him.
In the reception room of the presbystery, according to the wishes of each group, several subjects can be discussed such as: Jesus coming to Taybeh 2000 years ago, the life of the Taybeh people today, the political situation of the country, the role, situation and future of the christians in the Holy Land...
As well as the projects initiated by the latin parish, through the Olive Branch Foundation, to fight against poverty and emigration. |
Fr. Raed presents the Peace Lamps to a group of pilgrims |
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The building
Inaugurated and blessed on May 18th 1971 by the then Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, H.B. Jacques Beltritti, the church as we know it today, is not located where the original church was. The church tower, a remainder of the first church, tells of of its original location, right besides the presbystery.
The former century old church, which suffered of its age and size, became too small due to the growth of the latin parish. A new building became necessary. By choosing this new location with a severe declivity, between the sister's house and the school, Don Silvio, parish priest of Taybeh, had a large room being built beneath the church for the parish activities. This room is now used by the school. |
Outside view of the church |
The Icon of Notre-Dame of Ephraïm |
The icon of Notre-Dame of Ephraïm, has the particularity of showing the Virgin Mary holding Jesus in one hand and a pomegranate in the other.
In the middle east, the pomegranate is a symbol of fullfilness and fecundity.
A legend tells us that when Jesus came to Ephraim (biblical name of Taybeh), he used a pomegranate to tell a parable:
When one peels a pomegranate, the sweet grains are protected by a very bitter membrane. Using this image, Jesus explained that to reach the sweetness of resurrection and life he had to go through the bitterness of his passion. |
The paintings and the mosaic of the church
Painting on the left of the choir:
Jesus and the Samaritan |
Mosaïc of the choir:
Jesus and his disciples are welcomed by the inhabitants of Taybeh-Ephraïm |
Painting on the right of choir:
The resurrection of Lazarus |
Painting on the left of the nave:
Saint George |
Painting on the right of the nave:
Saint Michael |
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