The Church of the Ten Lepers is one of the oldest churches in the world. It is located above a cave in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. It draws thousands of Christian pilgrims each year to experience its rich history and spiritual significance, and it is decorated with golden icons.

But the number of native Palestinian Christians is still declining. The church, located in Burqin in the northern West Bank, has a more than 1,600-year history. It was initially constructed to commemorate a miraculous occurrence and has become a beloved location for believers.

Gathering of Christians at the Historic Holy Land Church

Christian tradition claims that Jesus treated ten lepers in the cave formerly used as a Roman cistern. According to an article in Reuters, while Jesus went from Nazareth to Jerusalem, these people sequestered themselves in a cave to stop the sickness from spreading.

Christians had to do private prayers there early because they were persecuted. Saint Helena, the mother of the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, didn’t get there until the fourth century when she decided to build a church. Greek Orthodox priest Father Spiridon Shukha relates this tale.

Although having a small local congregation, the church is still a well-liked destination for tourists. Father Spiridon recently presided over a Friday service that only had a dozen attendees, which was dwarfed by the regular influx of tourists. According to information provided by the mayor of Burqin in 2019, the church received 200 to 300 visits per month.

Father Shukha notes that Sundays are usually reserved for holiday services. However, the local population, which has been progressively dwindling, now gathers for a prayer on Fridays when they have time off from work. According to US News, Only about 70 Palestinian Christians are still present in Burqin, an 8,500-person town, according to Moeen Jabbour, the administrative manager of the community. 

He attributes the decline to the difficulties they encounter in Palestine, namely the occupation by Israel and the challenging economic situation. Many young people are compelled to relocate due to a lack of employment, contributing to the declining number of Christians in the community.

Not just Burqin is affected by these problems. The church is becoming increasingly concerned that some Christian holy sites in the country where Jesus was born may one day be reduced to historical markers without any spiritual meaning or functioning congregations.

Also Read: Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches Appeal for Support for Christians in the Holy Land

The Declining Population of Christians in Israel and Palestine

According to the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem’s Protecting Holy Land Christians initiative, there are now significantly fewer Christians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Middle East Monitor states that Christians comprise barely 2% of the population, down from 11% a century ago. This fall is due to rising violence, vandalism against Christians, and socioeconomic and political difficulties.

Father Shukha is optimistic that his parish will continue to exist and play a vital role in the neighborhood despite these challenges. In order to highlight the close ties Christians have to the region, he says they are the children of this land. This is where Jesus lived, not Europe or the United States.

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