Blest Art

08/14/2026

English Bishop James Curry has expressed concern over the Israeli Defence Forces SURROUNDING Taybeh, the last Christian town in the West Bank

The move from Israel comes following repeated attacks by Jewish Settlers against the Christian town:

'I was deeply alarmed to hear that Taybeh has been declared a closed military zone prohibiting Israelis, foreign nationals, and journalists from entering. It is claimed that this is designed to prevent attacks on residents by Israeli settlers, but it is far from clear that this move will achieve that objective. The Israeli government must find a way of protecting the legitimate communities from settler violence whilst allowing citizens to go about their normal business. This ban will lead to a vital loss of income from tourism and pilgrimages and, thereby, international scrutiny on the situation'

08/12/2026

🚨 TAYBEH DECLARED A “CLOSED MILITARY ZONE”

The Israeli military has declared Taybeh, the West Bank’s last entirely Christian Palestinian village, a “closed military zone,” restricting access to an ancient community whose Christian roots stretch back centuries.

The closure comes amid growing concern over settler violence across the occupied West Bank. Taybeh itself has faced repeated incidents of intimidation, attacks on agricultural land, and threats to property, prompting its Christian leaders to repeatedly appeal for protection.

For the people of Taybeh, these developments are about far more than restrictions on movement. They add to the fear that continued insecurity and pressure will force more Christian families to leave their ancestral homeland.

Taybeh is home to Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Melkite Catholic communities and represents one of the most important remaining centers of indigenous Palestinian Christianity. Every family that leaves makes the survival of this ancient Christian presence more uncertain.

🙏 We pray for the people of Taybeh, for their safety and their right to remain in their homes, worship freely, and preserve their Christian heritage.

❤️ Please support the mission of the Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr as we work to protect and strengthen Christian communities throughout the Holy Land and the Middle East.

08/09/2026

Father Bashar Fawadleh is the Latin parish priest of Christ the Redeemer Church in Taybeh, .

Located east of Ramallah, Taybeh is home to around 1,400 people and is the last entirely Christian village in the occupied West Bank. This ancient Christian community is facing escalating Israeli settler attacks, including assaults on residential areas, destruction of property and farmland, and threats to families’ livelihoods.

Father Bashar continues to speak out, calling on Christians worldwide to stand in solidarity and help preserve the living Christian presence in the land where Christianity was born.

Pray for Taybeh. Stand with its people. Help ensure that Palestinian Christians do not become only a memory of the past.

08/09/2026

Palestinian Christians call themselves "living stones" and say they have lived continuously in the Holy Land for the last 2,000 years. Maybe not for much longer, believes Reverend Mitri Raheb.

"If the current conditions continue, there will not be a single Palestinian Christian left by 2050," said Raheb, founder and president of Dar Al Kalima University in Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.

Full details on our website 🔗

08/08/2026

In addition to being the only remaining entirely Christian village in the region, Taybeh is also globally renowned for its beer.

08/08/2026

The New York archbishop returned to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to celebrate Mass for the profession of vows of the Sisters of Life.

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

Beit Sahour Municipality Leads Efforts to Expand Scholarships for Local Students at Bethlehem University

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing education and empowering the youth of Beit Sahour, the Beit Sahour Municipality held a meeting with the administration of Bethlehem University to explore ways of expanding scholarship opportunities for students from the city. The meeting took place on Friday, July 31, 2026.

The meeting was attended by Beit Sahour Mayor Mr. Laith Hazem Qumsiyeh, accompanied by members of the Municipal Council, Mr. Mounir Bannoura, President of the Beit Sahour Society–USA, Mr. Jeryes Awad Qumseya, President Emeritus of Blest Art, and representatives of Bethlehem University.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the Municipality, the University, and the Beit Sahour Society–USA to provide additional scholarships for students from Beit Sahour, expand academic and professional opportunities, and further engage members of the Beit Sahour diaspora in supporting students and contributing to their educational success and resilience.

Mayor Laith Hazem Qumsiyeh emphasized that investing in people through education remains one of the Municipality’s highest priorities. He stressed the importance of uniting the efforts of local institutions and Beit Sahour’s community, both at home and abroad, to create greater opportunities for the city’s young people.

Beit Sahour Municipality remains committed to building strong and sustainable partnerships that serve the community and support its students in pursuing higher education and achieving a brighter future.

08/06/2026

Beit Sahour Municipality Leads Efforts to Expand Scholarships for Local Students at Bethlehem University

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing education and empowering the youth of Beit Sahour, the Beit Sahour Municipality held a meeting with the administration of Bethlehem University to explore ways of expanding scholarship opportunities for students from the city. The meeting took place on Friday, July 31, 2026.

The meeting was attended by Beit Sahour Mayor Mr. Laith Hazem Qumsiyeh, accompanied by members of the Municipal Council, Mr. Mounir Bannoura, President of the Beit Sahour Society–USA, businessman Mr. Jeryes Awad Qumsiyeh, and representatives of Bethlehem University.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the Municipality, the University, and the Beit Sahour Society–USA to provide additional scholarships for students from Beit Sahour, expand academic and professional opportunities, and further engage members of the Beit Sahour diaspora in supporting students and contributing to their educational success and resilience.

Mayor Laith Hazem Qumsiyeh emphasized that investing in people through education remains one of the Municipality’s highest priorities. He stressed the importance of uniting the efforts of local institutions and Beit Sahour’s community, both at home and abroad, to create greater opportunities for the city’s young people.

Beit Sahour Municipality remains committed to building strong and sustainable partnerships that serve the community and support its students in pursuing higher education and achieving a brighter future.