(live here in the city) - The Melkite Greek-Catholic Church named after St. George is on the seashore, on Hubert Humphrey St., called by the Arabs "Wadi El Jamal". The church, which is in a beautiful place for photographing weddings and the joys of life, is used by a large community of Arab-Christians from the city of Haifa.
About the Churches in Hai Fe project:
The churches project informs the residents and tourists about what we have here in the city of Haifa - "under our noses", what we did not know or did not notice... Also, the purpose of the section is to promote both domestic and foreign tourism in the city of Haifa and its surroundings. So far, about 11 churches have been surveyed, which are located on Mount Carmel, and in the future I intend to survey additional ones, which are located "in the keyboard". In addition, it is important for me to get to know those who live and live here with us, to know, respect and cherish. It must be understood and even internalized - that I have no intention of glorifying this or that religion.
◄ Watch a tour of the church
(It is recommended to watch on a large screen monitor + directed sound)
The Church of St. George
A Haifai, a tourist, or a guest for the moment traveling for pleasure, or running along the edge of the spectacular boardwalk in the city's lovely canopy, will surely be able to see a special building, with a stone covering, this is the church building on the beach of Shekmona.
Undoubtedly, this is the church located in the most beautiful place in Haifa, for photographing weddings and the joys of life - and its full name is "The Greek-Catholic Melchite Church of St. George".
The Ein Hayam-Wadi Al Jamal neighborhood is very close to the Shekmona promenade, on the seashore. This neighborhood was established at the beginning of the last century, by Arab families. With the establishment of the State of Israel, "train" housing and 4-5 story buildings were built there.
The neighborhoods next to it are: Neve David, Shaar Aliya and Kiryat Eliezer.
The origin of the Arabic name "Wadi El Jamal"
The name of the neighborhood in Arabic is related to the caravans that passed through this area, along the coast, on their journeys north or south. On the side of the mountain there is a small spring, where, apparently, these caravans stopped for rest and refreshment, hence the name: "Eye of the Sea".
The meaning of the word Jamal is camels and hence the Arabic name "Wadi al Jamal".
There is also another translation for this name: al-Jamal, meaning, "beautiful", meaning the beautiful wadi located in the spectacular landscape between the mountain and the sea.
Chaitz the railroad and Sderot Haganah road
Most of the houses in the Ein Hayam-Wadi Al Jamal neighborhood are separated from the sea by the railway on the west side.
Next to the residential neighborhood and on the seafront is the National Institute of Oceanography which belongs to the Seas and Lakes Research Institute. This is the supposed area where the town of "Shakmona" existed in the distant past.
During excavations at the site, a building was found that was probably in the Byzantine and early Islamic periods and is called "Khirbat Tanani". Remains of snails were also discovered in the area, which were used to produce the crimson dye.
One of the most striking features of the Ein Hayam-Wadi Al Jamal neighborhood is the good relations between the residents of the neighborhood, some of whom are Christian, some Muslim and some Jewish. Residents live in the neighborhood who have maintained good neighborly relations for decades. Wars and security events in the country, which in the past threatened coexistence in Haifa, did not harm the good relations between the residents of the neighborhood
Church Beach - national surfing site
Right in front of the church is a kitesurfing site. The place is a pilgrimage center from all over the country, on days when the south-west wind blows, especially in the summer months as well as during the winter storms. The place is called "Church Beach" by surfers.
In Haifa there are four complexes of the Greek-Catholic Melkite Church
- The compound of the House of Grace and inside it the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin - also called Santa Maria. See an article In this link…
- Mar Elias Cathedral complex. See an article In this link…
- St. Gabriel's Church in Haifa El Atika - this is a church that was renovated several years ago and is currently used by the members of the Ukrainian Catholic community in Haifa. (an article is planned - in the future)
- The Church of St. George which is on the seashore at the foot of Carmel in Wadi al-Jamal (this article).
About the Greek-Catholic Melkite Church
The Greek-Catholic Melkite Church ("Roman Catholic") is a Unitarian (independent) church, which was created out of the Antiochian (Greek Orthodox) Church. The term Melchites is used to denote a number of Christian sects in the Middle East, sects belonging to Eastern Catholic Christianity.
The origin of the name "Malachite" is from the ancient Syrian word "Malchaya", which means: royal.
The Melchites define themselves as Eastern Catholics, practicing Byzantine worship. They are subject to the Pope and the Vatican, but are granted ritual autonomy in which they preserve the customs and liturgy that began in early Eastern Christianity. Today, in the State of Israel, the Greek-Catholics are the largest Christian community.
The architecture of the Orthodox churches in Israel
The Orthodox churches in the villages of the country were mostly built at the end of the Ottoman period, when their architecture has a prominent Russian influence. This influence was also focused on the architecture and art of decorating the churches that were built at that time. A large part of the Greek Catholic churches were built during the time of Bishop Hajar.
In Haifa, Bishop Hajar founded two churches. One is in Wadi Al Jamal (Ein Hayam) and the other is the cathedral located on Ein Dor Street, Mar Elias. (See my article from January 6, 2022).
Additional churches that were built in Israel under the influence of Bishop Hajar
Under the influence of Bishop Hajar, churches were also built in the following sites:
Sirin, Malom, Jish (Gush Halab), Kfar Yasif, Psuta, Paki'in, Deir Hana, Shafaram, Sha'ab, E'ablin, Gdira, Makar, Rina, Yafia and Kfar Kana.
As mentioned, the Greek-Catholic Melkite Church, named after St. George, which is on Hubert Humphrey St., in Ein Hayam-Wadi Al Jamal, was also built during the time of Archbishop Hajar.
The origin of the name of the church - St. George
The church is called "St. George's Church" after the bishop who built it, Bishop Georgios Hajar, as well as after his patron Saint George.
"Saint George" is a Christian saint who is considered the most important saint in Orthodox Christianity, and is the patron saint of several countries. Beginning in the 12th century, legends were spread, based on what is told in the vision of John in the New Testament, where the war of the archangel Michael in Tanin is described. According to the legend, Georgios saved a girl from a ferocious dragon and killed the dragon.
The story of the life of Saint George
In fact, there are no reliable historical sources that tell the life story of St. Georgios, but according to tradition and legend he was born into a Christian family at the end of the third century. St. George was supposed to take part in the suppression of the Christians but instead he admitted that he was a Christian and rejected the emperor's decision.
Emperor Diocletian insisted and tried to convert Georgios, by offering him a bribe of money and land, so that he would participate in the Roman worship, but Georgios refused the offer. As a result of the refusal, the emperor defined him as a traitor and ordered his death by torture. Georgios' body was brought to Lod, his family's hometown, where he was buried as a martyr. Therefore, St. George is one of the fourteen helping saints.
Inaugurated in 1940
The Catholic Church named after St. George in Bein Hayam-Wadi Al Jamal, is a modern church that was inaugurated in 1940. Today, the church is mainly used by the Greek Catholic community living in this neighborhood.
According to various testimonies, it appears that the exterior plastering work was already completed in 1938 and the church was ready for use as early as 1939, but was dedicated, as mentioned, in 1940.
The church building
The main and official entrance to the church is on the west side, but the church also has a side entrance from the parking lot, on the north side. The church building, which is the prayer house, is rectangular in shape.
The holy area is on the east side, and like many churches, the roof is made in the shape of an inverted nave.
During celebrations and events, weddings and christenings, Christian believers from all over the city of Haifa come to the church.
These days and with the help of donors from abroad, the renovation of the church is being completed. The members of the community are expecting a visit from the believers of the congregation on the one hand and on the other hand a crowd of visitors and guests interested in knowledge and knowledge.
(The hours of the activities and tours in the area can be coordinated online, through the neighborhood activists website, since we do not have predetermined hours, which can be shared in this article).
Does anyone know when the church is open? I couldn't find any information anywhere
I've passed by the church dozens of times and I didn't think it had such beauty and history inside it, since the outside is very unkempt. Thank you Rachel for the presentation and the detailed information. It is always useful to be smart and learn.
A very interesting article especially for me because I have a daughter born in Haifa. We are Jewish and my family settled in Haifa about one hundred and twenty years ago, and every detail interests me. I also pass on the details to my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren - you know that I am already very old and still curious about the origin of the city and how it came to be.
My grandmother's parents are buried in the old cemetery on Hagana Street, meaning that both of my sisters are sixth generation in Haifa.
Disgusting racist, we were born here and we will die here, and it's time to respect those who are here before you
As a native of Haifa and I consider myself 5700 years old in Israel, I will write my opinions to the live system here as freely and democratically as I want. And you have the right to write a response to the system freely according to your point of view. That's how it is in democracy. And personal insults don't add to you
Great article, I enjoyed reading it! Thank you
A comprehensive tour of the church named after Georgo in Haifa Racheli Orbach. Impressive. Shabbat Shalom and times for joy.
This is about the neighborhood of Ein Hayam and that is its only name. The land here and the Land of Israel were given to the people of Israel. Over the generations Jews have been murdered and expelled from the land countless times, mainly by Arab rioters but not only. Today, most Arabs live in the Sea, but they too are supposed to respect and recognize the Jewish State of Israel as having equal rights in it. Just like Jews in the USA, Europe and Asia live in the Nether and do not name themselves places or have some kind of national ambition there. Thank you for posting the response and Happy New Year.
Disgusting racist, we were born here and we will die here, and it's time to respect those who are here before you