Situated just a short distance from the Separation Wall in northern Bethlehem, the Greek Catholic Convent stands as a bridge between East and West. This sacred sanctuary is affiliated with the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate in Jerusalem and is home to a community of Benedictine nuns.
The Bethlehem convent was founded in 1963, when three Benedictine nuns were invited by the Melkite Archbishop Georges Hakim to come and pray alongside the Christians of the Holy Land. As Greek Catholics (Melkites) themselves, the nuns had to adapt and learn anew in order to fully immerse themselves within this local context.
Situated on a plot of land with a breath-taking view of the Jordanian mountains and the Moab range, the convent's architecture and design draw inspiration from the Byzantine era. Each room is adorned with religious icons, including an image of St. Paola, who lived in a nearby grotto with St. Jerome during the 4th century.
In addition to their spiritual devotions, the sisters engage in various creative pursuits within the convent. They have a workshop where they produce handcrafted religious icons from scratch, as well as practicing embroidery and the making of crosses. Through these artistic endeavors, the nuns strive to honor their Eastern Christian heritage and share their faith with the world.