The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/christianity/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Wed, 10 Jun 2026 03:29:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Christianity | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/christianity/ 32 32 Israel appoints first special envoy to Christian world after scandals strain ties https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-appoints-first-special-envoy-to-christian-world-after-scandals-strain-ties/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:07:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3808429 Diplomat George Deek, a member of the Arab Christian community, recently served as ambassador to Azerbaijan; Sa'ar says Israel attaches 'great importance' to its ties with Christian world

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]]> 2 troops dismissed, jailed for smashing statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-troops-dismissed-jailed-for-smashing-statue-of-jesus-in-southern-lebanon/ Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:06:22 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3807183 Soldier who took sledgehammer to the statue and another who photographed the act given 30 days in military prison; 6 troops who 'did not act to stop incident' called in for questioning

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]]> Marble bowl buried 1,300 years ago in Golan church sheds light on ancient baptisms https://www.timesofisrael.com/marble-bowl-buried-1300-years-ago-in-golan-church-sheds-light-on-ancient-baptisms/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:05:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3792480 Found in a cathedral destroyed by an earthquake in 749, a unique liturgical object suggests the ceremony there featured three moments of anointment, a ritual never documented before

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]]> On the trail of Lawrence of Arabia: 1,400-year-old church found in the Negev https://www.timesofisrael.com/on-the-trail-of-lawrence-of-arabia-1400-year-old-church-found-in-the-negev/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:58:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3779639 Mosaic-decorated church uncovered at Nitzana National Park sheds light on the scene among pilgrims traveling through the Holy Land to Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt

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]]> Forget keychains, Byzantine pilgrims took home ‘souvenir’ flasks, newly found mold shows https://www.timesofisrael.com/forget-keychains-byzantine-pilgrims-took-home-souvenir-flasks-newly-found-mold-shows/ Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:10:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3719959 Judean Desert finds dated 1,400 years ago bear witness to 'flourishing Christian pilgrimage industry' as travelers from around Roman Empire sought mementos of visits to Jesus-linked sites

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]]> ‘Oldest organ in Christendom’ makes music in Jerusalem after centuries of silence https://www.timesofisrael.com/oldest-organ-in-christendom-makes-music-in-jerusalem-after-centuries-of-silence/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 07:25:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3639521 A team of researchers studied and restored dozens of organ pipes crafted some 1,000 years ago for Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, which are now on display at the Terra Sancta Museum

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]]> After Lutherans pass ‘one-sided’ Israel resolution, US rabbi’s plea for unity prevails https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-lutherans-pass-one-sided-israel-resolution-us-rabbis-plea-for-unity-prevails/ Thu, 07 Aug 2025 23:00:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3615004 Union for Reform Judaism president Rick Jacobs has decades of interfaith work under his belt, so when a church convention voiced a narrow view of the Gaza conflict, he was prepared

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]]> In early Christian Holy Land, private churches rose as acts of faith — and displays of power https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-early-christian-holy-land-private-churches-rose-as-acts-of-faith-and-displays-of-power/ Sun, 20 Apr 2025 06:02:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3528397 During 4th-7th century CE, new research shows, Christian elites built numerous private churches, while Jewish donors appeared to pool their resources in a communal synagogue

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]]> Rubio: All nations should respect Christians’ right to declare Christ is king https://www.timesofisrael.com/rubio-all-nations-should-respect-christians-right-to-declare-christ-is-king/ Sat, 19 Apr 2025 11:59:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3530186 Easter tweet follows demand for US State Department employees to report incidents of alleged anti-Christian bias during the Biden administration

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]]> Just in time for Passover, Jesus biopic ‘The Chosen’ premieres Season 5 in US cinemas https://www.timesofisrael.com/just-in-time-for-passover-jesus-biopic-the-chosen-premieres-season-5-in-us-cinemas/ Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:22:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3510531 Launching March 28, hit show doesn't downplay Christ's Jewish roots but takes advice from a Messianic rabbi. Season Five: Last Supper to see a theatrical run before heading to streaming

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]]> Echoing Gospel account, traces of ancient garden found under Church of Holy Sepulchre https://www.timesofisrael.com/echoing-gospel-account-traces-of-ancient-garden-found-under-church-of-holy-sepulchre/ Sat, 22 Mar 2025 06:44:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3505751 A landmark excavation, set to conclude soon at Old City of Jerusalem church, has offered unprecedented historical insights. ToI gets a sneak peek

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]]> Could 1,600-year-old Galilee synagogue rewrite history of Jewish life under the Romans? https://www.timesofisrael.com/can-a-grand-1600-year-old-synagogue-rewrite-the-history-of-jewish-life-in-christian-rome/ Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:22:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3489887 New radiocarbon dating at grand Huqoq sanctuary near Tiberias puts its construction after the empire embraced Christianity, suggests Jews in Holy Land still enjoyed 'relative prosperity'

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]]> Chained in faith: 5th-century female skeleton may be world’s 1st self-mortifying Christian nun https://www.timesofisrael.com/chained-in-faith-5th-century-female-skeleton-may-be-worlds-1st-self-mortifying-christian-nun/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:14:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3499835 Cutting-edge technology allows a team of Israeli researchers to determine that mysterious ironclad remains found in a church near Jerusalem belonged to a woman

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]]> Amulet found in Germany said to be ‘oldest Christian testimony north of the Alps’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/amulet-found-in-germany-said-to-be-oldest-christian-testimony-north-of-the-alps/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:57:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3441670 Silver scroll, found to contain verses of protection in Latin, dates from the mid-3rd century CE. Israeli researcher says too early to draw conclusions

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]]> Remains of one of the oldest churches in the world discovered in Armenia https://www.timesofisrael.com/remains-of-one-of-the-oldest-churches-in-the-world-discovered-in-armenia/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 07:42:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3402042 Octagonal-shaped structure dates from the mid-4th century CE, not long after the Kingdom of Armenia is thought to have become the first Christian kingdom

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