Celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem – The Church of the Holy Sepulchre Explains

One Planet Journey co-founder Maral Kalajian goes to the roots of Christianity to uncover how Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem unfold during December and January. More than a hundred thousand pilgrims make a spiritual journey to the birthplace of Jesus for a deeper form of travel. To understand the connection between celebrating Christmas, tourism to the holy sites, and the spiritual journey of the pilgrims, she interviews Father Aghan Gogchyan, Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The Armenian Apostolic church is one of the main Christian denominations sharing control of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

 – Special Edition Sample of One Planet Journey’s Exclusive December Newsletter –

Has Christmas forgotten its true origins?

As we approach the festive season, I find myself asking: Have we forgotten the true origin of Christmas? For a proper answer, I had to venture beyond the conventional and go deep into spiritual travel. My journey led me to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The place of Jesus’ resurrection, and one of the holiest places for Christians worldwide. How do pilgrims engage with these sacred sites today? A question many forget in the modern rush of Christmas, yet it is vital for those on a spiritual quest. Pilgrimages are, of course, the original form of deep travel.

Who better to help us get the backstory than the first nation to adopt Christianity? With its rich spiritual heritage and long-standing traditions, the Armenian Church offers a unique perspective on the pilgrimage experience. Therefore, I reached out to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem to gain insights on how pilgrims undertake spiritual travels to the holy sites today, and how deep the connection with the sacred places goes. 

Father Aghan, the Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, generously and comprehensively shares his knowledge of the old and new traditions of pilgrimage and how they remain a central part of the Christmas experience as he invites seekers of faith to rediscover its true meaning. 

Celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem starts in early December and lasts until January, as various Christian denominations celebrate across the two months.

What can you expect as an attendee for the Christmas Celebrations in Bethlehem? 

The Christmas Mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem isn’t mere celebration. Think of it as spiritual journey to the birthplace of Christ. I encourage every Christian in the world to experience it. It is a powerful reminder of the humility and hope embodied in the Nativity. For Armenian pilgrims, it carries a deeper resonance, blending our nation’s devotion to Christ with a connection to the thousands of Armenians that worshipped here even before the 4th century. 

The Christmas Mass commemorates the moment when God entered the world in human form, bringing salvation and light to humanity. For us Armenians, this reaffirms our identity as the custodians of a faith that has withstood centuries of trials. The Divine Liturgy represents an opportunity to reflect on the humility of Christ’s birth in a lowly manger. But also the universal message of peace and love He brought into our world.

The Armenian Brotherhood of St. James under the presidement of its Patriarch and Grand Sacristan presides over the Christmas Mass at the Nativity. The service starts off with a large procession, going from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Then, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem himself leads the way. The faithful join the clergy with prayers and hymns.

What happens when they arrive in Bethlehem? 

When they arrive at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Divine Liturgy unfolds with traditional chants, incense, and readings. It recounts the birth of Christ as narrated in the Gospels. The highlight comes during the prayer at the Grotto of the Nativity. A silver star marks the place of Christ’s birth. Pilgrims get the chance to kneel in the very spot where the incarnation of God occurred.

Attending the Christmas Mass in Bethlehem is deeply spiritual. Armenian pilgrims often describe it as a culmination of their entire faith journey. Every element of the service draws worshippers closer to the mystery and majesty of the birth of our Lord.

For pilgrims, the joy of the celebration comes from actually participating in it. This can take the form of joining in prayers, lighting candles, and receiving blessings. The Divine Liturgy is an opportunity for local Christians from varying denominations in Bethlehem to be part of a timeless Christian celebration. At the same time, they connect with the unique Armenian traditions and presence in the Holy Land.

For Armenian pilgrims, this observance often reaffirms their identity and strengthens their faith. It reminds them that, as Armenians and Christians, they belong to a sacred history that acts as inspiration and guidance in their lives.

When the pilgrims leave the Church of the Nativity, the sense of peace and divine joy permeates the atmosphere. It reminds us of the hope born in Bethlehem over two millennia ago. A hope that continues to illuminate the hearts of all Christians today.

what trends have you seen in terms of tourism to the holy places of Christianity? 

Having spent over 20 years serving the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem as both a seminarian, priest, and now Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate, I have seen and brushed shoulders with countless pilgrims. All of them come to Jerusalem for different reasons, but those who enter the Holy Sepulchre, I believe, understand the awe-inspiring spiritual and historical significance of that Cathedral. Over the years, I have seen several distinct patterns emerging.

The Christian holy sites, including the Holy Sepulchre, are now key destinations not only for spiritual pilgrims but also for cultural and historical interested travellers. There are many organised tours, often combined with visits to other parts of the Holy Land, and this has brought a more diverse group of visitors from all corners of the world. During all times of the year, you can take a short walk on the streets of the Old City and hear a dozen different languages by the time you get to your destination.

Are the visits purely spiritual? 

I have seen the growing commercial nature of the pilgrimage experience grow too. While many visitors come for the profound spiritual connection to the holy sites, there is also a significant aspect of tourism focused on sightseeing and leisure. This has led to a certain shift in the atmosphere around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and in other sacred locations.

There is more emphasis on the tourist experience, such as guided tours and souvenirs, rather than on the quiet reflection that once characterised the road to the Holy Land for the Christian pilgrim. This used to be a very significant embarkment for a Christian pilgrim and I yearn to see its revival, especially among Armenian Christians.

Overall, Jerusalem’s holy sites continue to draw large numbers of visitors, but I fear that the nature of their visits is rapidly changing in our modern era. One of the big challenges for myself and my brother-clergy in the St. James Brotherhood is to make sure that the deep spiritual significance of these places doesn’t disappear in waves of tourism that seem to be more commercial in nature.

How do you encourage Armenian visitors? 

We do that by tending to our Armenian flock that comes from all over the world to visit the Armenian Quarter. We explain to them what our holy sites signify, how they came into our possession, and the rich history and historical importance behind them. Armenian Jerusalem is a beautiful and rich story that is always being written, and I hope that all Armenian faithful know that through their simple and meager pilgrimage, they are now a part of that story.

It is important for us to communicate to them that as Armenian Christians; they are not only visiting famous and sought-after land, but, in fact, their spiritual home. The Armenian presence in Jerusalem goes back to the Apostolic era, immediately after Christ’s Resurrection. It is almost as if we Armenian heard the Lord’s calling to serve Him from across the Levant.

Serving and protecting these holy sites is a burden that we Armenian clerics in Jerusalem happily assume. We have been doing it since the Dark Ages. In the early centuries after our Lord, Armenians heard this call to the Holy Land, almost as if it was born within them. It is our job as Armenian priests in Jerusalem to help them understand that their urge to visit this place isn’t for mere travel, but for spiritual growth and edification.

How do you view the role of the Church in welcoming and guiding pilgrims? 

Jerusalem is a city where the pages of sacred history come alive for people, a place where the Gospel becomes real. For pilgrims, visiting this Holy City is not simply a journey, and it has never been; it is a pilgrimage of the soul, an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Christ and to connect deeply with their Christian heritage. For Armenians, specifically, it is to know why the Armenian cleric and faithful came here in the 4th century. To understand why they stayed.

As an Armenian priest serving in Jerusalem, I view the Church as both a spiritual guide and a nurturing home for pilgrims. Our role, though oftentimes forgotten, is to go beyond simply welcoming them to sacred sites. We want pilgrims to feel as though they have experienced something profound and spiritually rejuvenating.

For Armenian pilgrims, this connection is particularly meaningful, as they are not only encountering the universal Christian story but also the enduring Armenian presence in Jerusalem, which has safeguarded these holy places for centuries, and through the presence of the St. James Brotherhood, we hope, they understand we will continue to safeguard them for centuries to come.

What is the connection between Armenians and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre? 

The Armenian Church has always served as a bridge, linking our people’s spiritual identity in the Caucasus mountains to the Holy Land and its living legacy. Through Divine Liturgy, prayers, and blessings, we can open the hearts of pilgrims and introduce them to the transformative power of the sacred. Via inspiring stories of Armenian saints and the sacrifices of the Patriarchs, bishops, priests, deacons, and monks of the Brotherhood of St. James, pilgrims see themselves as part of this ongoing history of faith and devotion.

For many Armenian pilgrims, touching the ancient stones of the Holy Sepulchre or kneeling before the relics that our Church preserves is a spiritual connection, or rather, a spiritual homecoming. They rediscover their faith and their heritage in the very place where Christ walked, taught, and triumphed over death. In the place that pilgrims, centuries and millennia before them, chose as their vocation to get closer to God.

As a priest, it is my greatest joy and responsibility to guide those that seek, to ensure they leave Jerusalem not only with cherished memories but with hearts renewed and spirits uplifted. In welcoming them, the Church reminds every pilgrim that they are not mere visitors but part of the living body of Christ, bound together by faith and by the sacred history that Jerusalem so powerfully represents.

Have you done any spiritual journeys? Let us know in the comment section! Subscribe to our newsletter and benefit from travel guides, sustainable tourism and luxury travel tips, insightful interviews, and inspirational places to visit. One Planet Journey – The World’s First Deep Travel Magazine.