Orthodox Church of Ramallah, Greek Orthodox church in Ramallah, West Bank
The Orthodox Church of Ramallah is a church building with Byzantine architectural features including domes and interior religious art. The structure displays classic Eastern Orthodox design elements and houses several sacred objects within its walls.
The first church on the site was a small building erected in 1807 by Father Mitri Elias Qassis, during Ottoman rule. As Ramallah's Orthodox congregation grew, that structure became too small, and a larger church was begun in 1850 and inaugurated in 1852. Local and tourism sources link the new building to the need for a space large enough to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, which drew Christians from several villages and towns.
The church is the seat of the Greek Orthodox parish of Ramallah, whose congregation comes from the town and surrounding villages. Its name, the Church of the Transfiguration, ties it to the Feast of the Transfiguration, which the larger 1850s building was put up to celebrate; Christians from other villages and towns travelled here for the feast. The parish is led by a representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which appoints its priests and the church's board of trustees.
The church stands in the centre of Ramallah and is listed among the city's religious and historical sites. Ramallah's tourist information centre describes it as open to visitors most days of the week, while its primary use remains Orthodox worship and the liturgy.
Several historical icons displayed inside were transferred from smaller churches that were destroyed during periods of conflict. These artworks are now preserved and form part of the church's collection.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,755 contributors worldwide.