Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
The town of Beit Jala holds a deep reverence for its patron saint, St. Nicholas. According to accounts, St. Nicholas made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the early 4th century AD, and is believed to have taken up residence in a cave beneath the present-day Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas.
The church itself, constructed in 1925 during the British Mandate era, features an icon of St. Nicholas and a perpetual flame burning in his honor, drawing countless pilgrims and devotees to this sacred site. The town's residents credit the saint with saving Beit Jala from the ravages of war, most notably during World War I.
Each year on December 19th, the feast day of St. Nicholas, the people of Beit Jala come together in a vibrant celebration of their patron saint. The festivities encompass lively street parades, theatrical performances, choral concerts, and a bustling Christmas market, drawing visitors from across the Palestinian territories and beyond to share in the town's rich cultural heritage.