BETHLEHEM: July 14, 2007
The Pilgrims of "In the Footsteps of Moses" Visit the Birth Place of Christ

On July 9, 2007, the pilgrims of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, headed by His Grace Bishop Peter, prayed and partook of the Holy Gifts during Divine Liturgy performed in the priestly rite in the cave of the Birth of Christ. His Grace then performed a moleben in the church on the Shepherd's Field, after which the pilgrims headed for the monasteries of SS Theodosius and Sabbas of Jerusalem. It was particularly heart-warming for the young singers to venerate the cave of St John Damascene, who labored in the Monastery of St Sabbas and composed the Paschal canon and other church songs here. Bishop Peter told of the history and spiritual significance of each of the holy sites they visited and answered questions. That evening, Protopriest Gabriel Makarov, Rector of St Nicholas Cathedral in Brisbane, Australia, held a discussion of marriage and family life.