JERUSALEM, MAY 14, 2001 (Zenit.org).- For the past year, the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land has had a monastery at the heart of the Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem, to assist Hebrew-speaking Christians.
The monastery on HaRav Kook street near Zion Square is dedicated to the elderly Simeon, who "looked for the consolation of Israel," and the prophetess Anna, "daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher."
The ground floor of the monastery, where two Franciscans reside permanently, has been adapted to include a conference room and chapel, with a capacity for 80. Mass is celebrated there daily at 6 p.m.
The monastery of Saints Simeon and Anna is a noble 19th-century building. Previously it housed the Italian Consulate, the Lebanon Hotel and, during the British protectorate, the headquarters of the Palestine Post newspaper, forerunner of the Jerusalem Post.
The Custody of the Holy Land now has a total of 10 monasteries in Jerusalem. The majority are located near sacred places, such as the Holy Sepulcher and Gethsemane.
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome
14. mai 2001