Forty-four pastors participated in the annual ecumenical spiritual retreat, which was held at the Oasis Hotel in Jericho from 17–19 November 2025, under the theme:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

The gathering included three days of reflection, biblical teachings, and shared prayers. The program featured morning and evening prayers according to the traditions of different churches, giving the retreat a distinctive ecumenical depth.

The meeting began with a welcoming address by Bishop Attallah Hanna, who emphasized the importance prayer, and renewing hope in priestly ministry.

Day One

The first day opened with a recorded message from Rev. Naim Ateek, who welcomed the pastors and their wives and offered a reflection on the foundations of hope in the life and ministry of a pastor.

Following this, Bishop Munib Younan delivered a profound biblical and theological teaching on the retreat’s key verse, focusing on being filled with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the second session, Rev. Fadi Diab spoke on the theme: “A Living Hope: The Mission of the Priest Between Golgotha and the Empty Tomb,” highlighting the role of the pastor in carrying the message of the Resurrection amid life’s challenges.

The third session was presented by Bishop William Shomali under the title “Hope in the Midst of Lived Reality,” offering a realistic and spiritual reading of the Church’s mission today.

Day Two

The second day opened with a biblical study led by Bishop Antimos Jack Yacoub titled “Born for a Living Hope,” based on 1 Peter 1:3, focusing on the renewed hope through the Resurrection of Christ.

Sister Suzanne Barhoum then presented a lecture titled “A Woman After God’s Heart: The Presence of the Pastor’s Wife on the Journey of Hope,” which concluded with an engaging activity that created an atmosphere of participation and joy.

Later, Sister Camellia Khoury and Father Suhail Khoury led a session on “The Role of Media in Serving the Church,” emphasizing the importance of media in strengthening Christian witness.

This year’s retreat was distinguished by the addition of guided discussion groups after each session, which helped participants exchange experiences and deepen the spiritual message.

Final Day

After discussing final observations and recommendations, participants concluded the retreat with a field visit to the Jericho Valley, organized and accompanied by the World Council of Churches Office – Jerusalem, providing a communal and spiritual conclusion to the gathering.