WCC NEWS: Screening of "Via Dolorosa: The Path of Sorrows" to shed light on Christian presence in the Holy Land

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva are inviting a special screening of the documentary: "Via Dolorosa: The Path of Sorrows", on 18 February at the United Nations in Geneva. A man prays in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, at the conclusion of marching the Via Dolorosa on Good Friday to mark the stations of the cross in the Jerusalem Old City in memory of the path Jesus walked carrying his cross towards his crucifixion. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 30 January 2025 The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva are inviting a special screening of the documentary: "Via Dolorosa: The Path of Sorrows", on 18 February at the United Nations in Geneva. The screening, taking place at the Palais de Nations, is followed by a panel discussion featuring esteemed church leaders and experts to delve deeper into the themes presented in the documentary – among them keynote speaker His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine and Head of the Jerusalem Council of Churches. Panelists also include Fr Ibrahim Faltas, vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, and Rev. Prof. Mitri Raheb, president and founder of Dar Al-Kalima University. Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Khraishi and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay will offer opening remarks.  Directed by H.E. Amira Hanania, member of Higher Presidential Committee of Churches Affairs & representative to Europe, and Member of Palestine National Council of the PLO, the documentary sets out to shed light on the Christian presence in Palestine, narrating its story through the eyes of Palestinian Christians themselves and to capture pivotal moments that have shaped their history, identity, and resilience. Full event programme (attendance by invitation only) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland