Based on Matthew Teller's book "Nine Quarters of Jerusalem" I developed a tour in the old city of Jerusalem that introduces the visitor to the different cultural, social and religious communities that are part of the social fabric of the city. In April 2025 Matthew was visiting Jerusalem and we did the tour with a group of expats and diplomats. I recorded the tour and edited the recording into this lively episode that makes you feel you are walking with us in the streets of Jerusalem.

You can buy the book from the Educational Bookstore in Jerusalem on Salaedin street or you can order it online.

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Every year the Greek-Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem enters Christ's tomb in the Holy Sepulcher church in Jerusalem with no way to start a fire, prays, and fire miraculously appears which is then distributed to the faithful. For a brief time this fire does not burn.

In this episode I talk with Ghassan Kattoua, who has joined the Holy Fire ceremony every year since he was a child. His family is one of the thirteen families who has the right to carry the banners in the Holy Sepulcher on Holy Saturday. This is not part of the liturgy but of the local tradition.

This year Holy Saturday is on 11 April 2026. It will be very different from other years, due to the restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on the number of people that can gather during the ongoing war with Iran.

If you want to have an idea of the Holy Fire ceremony you can watch this YouTube video

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For International Women's Day, today on the 8th of March, I prepared a tour in the old city of Jerusalem, that takes you through the history of Jerusalem with women as the main characters!

Unfortunately the old city is closed to visitors due to the war with Iran and the tour is canceled. I decided to record some of the stories of these important historical women and share this episode with you on International Women's Day.

This virtual guided journey through Jerusalem highlights the lives of several women whose stories shaped the city’s faith, art, politics, and daily life. From Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary to Melisende, Rabia al Adawiya, Khassaki Hürrem Sultan, Helena, Eudocia, and Hind al‑Husseini, we trace witness, rule, charity, and education across centuries.

If you enjoyed it and if you want to support me, because in these times of war, as a tour guide, we don't have any income, then I would highly appreciate if you went to my Ko-fi page where you can buy me a coffee.

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Find me on Instagram @StoriesfromJerusalem

Support the podcast with a donation: https://ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine