Glory to God For All Things

I Have Set My Face To Go To Jerusalem

This Thursday, my wife and I, two parishioners and their son, will be traveling towards the Holy Land. We make connections on Sunday in Tel Aviv with a group of pilgrims, mostly Orthodox, led by Met. Kallistos Ware. We will spend two weeks in the Holy Land, meet with the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and generally pray a lot in various places (I’d spend 2 weeks with Met. Kallistos anywhere).

I am traveling with computer, but I’m not sure what that will mean until I arrive.

I am carrying many prayer requests with me and will certainly pray for all of my readers while I’m there. If things are a little slow around the website for the next two weeks, be patient, and pray for the unworthy priest Stephen, his most wonderful bride, Matushka Elizabeth, and the laymen, David, Anastasia and Andrew, and especially anyone who has to put up with me.

I will carry all of you in my heart.

About Fr. Stephen Freeman

Fr. Stephen is a retired Archpriest of the Orthodox Church in America. He is also author of Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One-Storey Universe, and Face to Face: Knowing God Beyond Our Shame, as well as the Glory to God podcast series on Ancient Faith Radio.

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22 responses to “I Have Set My Face To Go To Jerusalem”

  1. Seraphim Avatar
    Seraphim

    Ahhh! I am so jealous! Lord willing, my mom and I are going to Israel in November. But not with THE Metr. Kallistos Ware. I’m speechless. That will be incredible!

  2. A Sinner Avatar
    A Sinner

    Dearest Fr. Stephen,

    Fr. bless!

    Glory to God that you have been given this great opportunity!

    But I do hope you get to the Holy Sepulchre, and light a candle there for us.

    My prayers go with you as you follow in His footsteps….
    Love always,
    A Sinful Incense Maker

  3. Ben Avatar
    Ben

    Oh man! That’s awesome! I hope you have a great time and will be praying for you on your journey.

  4. mic Avatar
    mic

    Well, as far as holy sites go, there are plenty and they are easy to find…but, should you or your companions find yourself in need of some good ol’ American food, there is a proper hot dog joint just outside of Zion Square (South East of it, if i remember right) in the “New City” (Western Jerusalem)…or there is a burger joint on…Ben Yehuda St. (North of Jerusalem’s McDonalds), not only will they put cheese on your burger, but they will also add their version of bacon…just make sure you tell them to cook the bacon!

    Haha, i know you are not going there to eat, but, should the need arise, you now know (kind of) where to go.

    i pray for a very blessed pilgrimage!

  5. Anastasia Theodoridis Avatar
    Anastasia Theodoridis

    Father, bless!

    Yep, I’m jealous, too. Both of the destination and the company (Met. Kallistos)! Have a wonderful, glorious, and safe trip!

  6. Lucias Avatar
    Lucias

    Have a joyous time. I would enjoy a visit to the holy lands and perhaps someday I will. Enjoy your time and don’t worry about your blog. Your faithful readers will gladly wait, at least I will.

    Prayers for your safety, comfort, and that you would find yourself closer to God as a result.

  7. Fr. James Early Avatar
    Fr. James Early

    Blessed art thou, Fr. Stephen! Have a safe and wonderful trip, and please take lots of pictures that you can share with us over the coming months. I look forward to hearing about your travels and your impressions of what you see.

  8. Ezekiel Avatar
    Ezekiel

    Father, Bless!

    Safe Journey.

    The Lord give His angels charge over you to keep you in your ways!

  9. elizabeth Avatar
    elizabeth

    That is wonderful! I know someone from here who is also going on this trip, from the OCA Cathedral here in Ottawa. It sounds like a very special trip. I pray that God will have mercy, including traveling mercies and that you and yours will be very blessed.

  10. Ian Avatar
    Ian

    What a blessing indeed top undertake such a trip. And how wondrous to be led by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware.

    My prayers from Down Under for you and your group Father.

  11. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    God bless you and your fellow travelers, Fr. Stephen! How wonderful and what a blessing for all of us! Thank you!

  12. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    A safe and blessed pilgrimage, Father !

  13. Carl Avatar
    Carl

    Be sure to impress upon the Metropolitan how helpful his books have been for bringing his readers to the Church and how grateful we are for his work.

  14. William Avatar
    William

    May the Lord give you a wonderful trip!

  15. kay Avatar
    kay

    May the Lord keep all of you safe in His hands. Please pray for us, Father!

  16. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    A couple from my parish is also going with you. May God grant you all a safe and beneficial trip!

  17. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Father, Bless. You and the others will be in my prayers, and I thank you for the prayers you offer on our behalf. Safe journey!

  18. Jan Ligon Avatar
    Jan Ligon

    Father Freeman,
    Are you the same Steve Freeman that was at Holy Cross in Simpsonville, SC and thru you and Christ we reared my teenage daughter? I have been searching for you.
    God Bless and keep you

  19. Mimi Avatar
    Mimi

    Father, bless,

    Travel safely and know you have my humble prayers.

  20. Diakrisis Avatar
    Diakrisis

    Evlogeite!

    God bless your Pilgrimage!

  21. fatherstephen Avatar
    fatherstephen

    Jan.

    I am one and the same. I converted to the Orthodox Church in 1998. My children are now grown. Good to hear from you.

  22. Alexander Avatar
    Alexander

    +

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