First Palestinian Christian woman ordained in Holy Land

Sally Azar leading Bible study, Credit: Albin Hillert/Life on Earth

Source: World Council of Churches

Rev Sally Azar was ordained on 22 January as the first Palestinian Christian woman to serve in this role in the Holy Land. Her ordination - marking an historic milestone for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and for all Christians in Palestine - was held at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Old City Jerusalem.

Azar was ordained by her father Bishop Sani Azar. She said that while his example inspired her, she never felt pressured into studying theology. "It's what I wanted, what I was called to do," she said.

In a congratulatory letter, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay celebrated her ordination. "We rejoice with the Lutheran Church and with the people of the Middle East and of the Holy Land in particular on this important consecration of your spiritual and ecclesial leadership," wrote Pillay. "For us you are a daughter, a sister, but also a mentor, a leader contributing to the life and mission of our churches."

Born and raised in Jerusalem, Azar earned a bachelor's degree in theology from the Near East School of Theology in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2019. In 2022 she finished her Masters of International Theology from the Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen and Hermannsburg, Germany. She also served at the Evangelische Johanneskirche Frohnau in Germany, and is very involved in the international Lutheran community, serving as a council member of the Lutheran World Federation, and on the board of the ACT Alliance faith-based coalition which provides humanitarian aid for poor and marginalised people.

Video recording of the livestream: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ClyaldZZU