ENCOUNTER – MEOR Director Visits Jerusalem for Holy Week

ENCOUNTER – MEOR Director Visits Jerusalem for Holy Week

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The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, visited Jerusalem from 14-24 April to celebrate the Easter Triduum and visit the Methodist Liaison Office Jerusalem.

He was a guest of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem and participated in a number of Holy Week and Easter celebrations:

  • Assisting in a multilingual Maundy Thursday at the Lutheran Cathedral in Jerusalem with a pilgrimage to Gethsamane on the Mount of Olives to read Jesus’ betrayal
  • Walking the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) with Methodist, Reformed, Lutheran, and Anglican church leaders in Jerusalem
  • Attending a midnight Easter Vigil at the Church of the Resurrection with the Catholic Custody of the Holy Land
  • Assisting in a sunrise Easter service on the Mount of Olives with Lutheran clergy in Jerusalem

Rev. Laferty also made courtesy visits to His Beatitude Monsignor Pierbattista Piazzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and His Grace Hosam Naoum, Archbishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Rev. Laferty also attended an Easter reception hosted by the Latin Patriarchate with heads of churches in Jerusalem.

During his visit, Rev. Lafery was a guest of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate for the Holy Fire on 23 April in the Church of the Resurrection.

The Methodist Liaison Office was unfortunately closed during Rev. Laferty’s visit due to staff Covid infections.

Rev. Laferty (far right) with Lutheran clergy in Jerusalem after their Easter sunrise service celebrations on the territory of the Augustus Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem. Photo by Caleb Siems.
His Beatitude Monsignor Pierbattisa Pizzaballa (left), the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Rev. Laferty after a courtest visit on 19 April 2022. Photo by Carrie Ballenger.
His Grace Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (left) and Rev. Laferty after a courtesy visit on 22 April 2022. Photo by Don Binder.