Amid renewed conflict in the Middle East, Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem has become a refuge for people of different faiths seeking safety and solidarity. Benedictine Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion and of Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee, described the abbey as an “island of hope in an ocean of suffering.”
In a telephone interview with OSV News on March 6, Father Schnabel recounted how Muslim, Christian, and Jewish students found shelter together at the abbey as alarms sounded across Jerusalem. “On March 4, ‘the whole afternoon there was one alarm after another. We were in the shelter with Jews, Christians and Muslims. It sounds strange but it was wonderful,'” he said.
He noted that during their time together, there was curiosity about how each religious tradition responds to crisis. “‘If we as a human family had this attitude of curiosity — the desire to understand others, the tradition of others — it would be wonderful,’ he said. ‘Instead, in our times, we (think we) have the answers already. We think we already know the others.'”
Rather than focusing on personal fears or arguments, those gathered expressed concern for people suffering throughout the region. “‘There was, unanimously, really the feeling that all people are suffering,’ he said,” adding that stories were shared about children and families affected by conflict.
“‘None of us said, ‘Oh, my life, my life,”” Father Schnabel recalled. “‘Instead, people were thinking about others.'”
The latest round of violence began following the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at age 86. In response to ongoing strikes by Israel and the United States against Tehran and Hezbollah targets in Beirut—reported by NPR on March 6—Iran launched retaliatory attacks against U.S. bases in Gulf states and strikes against Israel.
Father Schnabel observed that while sirens were frequent at first in Jerusalem since hostilities began seven days earlier, “the situation has become more and more calm” recently with fewer alarms.
Despite some easing tensions locally, security measures have led Israeli police to close several religious sites to visitors—including Dormition Abbey itself—as well as major holy places like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Western Wall and Temple Mount compound.
“‘The police came and closed our monastery to the public,’ Father Schnabel said. ‘It was really a thing because it was never (closed) in the last weeks and months.'”
Even though these closures are unusual for Jerusalem’s religious sites—which typically remain open even during unrest—the Benedictine community continues its daily liturgical practices without interruption.
“‘Sometimes people misunderstand that our church is closed so there is no prayer,’ Father Schnabel said. ‘No. Of course we have all our prayer times and we have daily Eucharist.'”
At first several pilgrim groups took shelter at Dormition Abbey; however all groups have since left due to security concerns. The abbey remains open for individual pilgrims who wish to stay or pray.
“‘Our house is open and if you want you can celebrate Easter with us…We have rooms…food…drinks…So I tell every guest: Don’t be worried. Stay as long as it is good for you,'” Father Schnabel explained.
He emphasized that seeing young people from different backgrounds come together should remind outsiders that local realities are complex: “‘We as Catholic Church here…have members who are Palestinians…Hebrew-speaking Catholics…Palestinian Christians who have Muslim neighbors…'”
He also pointed out less visible Christian communities—such as those living in Gaza—and highlighted challenges faced by migrant workers from countries like India or Sri Lanka working under difficult conditions.
When asked about his political stance regarding regional conflicts: “‘People ask me what my position is…I say I’m neither pro-Israel nor pro-Palestine. I’m pro-human because in the end we are all human beings.'”
“‘Why should I cheer if a Jew is killed or a Muslim killed or a Christian killed or an atheist? In fact we are losing together as mankind,’ he added.” He concluded: “‘For me there is one fear…Of course losing life in world is one. But I also have a bigger fear: of losing our humanity.'”
