Nigerian Christian pilgrims begin visits to Holy Sites in Jerusalem as Catholics celebrate Ash Wednesday in Bethlehem

By Anthony Maliki in Bethlehem

Nigerian Christian pilgrims Wednesday began visits and pray at Holy Sites in Jerusalem, Israel after arriving from Tiberias on Tuesday evening.

The pilgrims were stationed in Bethlehem where they are expected to visit Mount Zion, House of Caiaphas, Church of the Sepulchre and the Wailing Wall all in Jerusalem among others.

The pilgrims which are mainly from Nasarawa State are the ninth batch from Nigeria are expected to visit Holy Sites both in Bethlehem and Jerusalem for three days.

Catholics on the pilgrimage held Ash Wednesday Mass at Bethlehem officiated by Rev Father Joseph Gandu.

In his Homily Rev. Father Gandu emphasized a sincere change of heart during the time of Lent.

According to him, ash is not repentance but a sign but repentance comes from within.

Rev Father Gandu noted that Lent is a time to review ourselves reminding that even with almsgiving, prayers and fasting comes to nothing without inner repentance.

Rev. Father Gandu administer Ash on a pilgrim in Bethlehem

In the general devotion, Rev. Ini Ukpho, said Lent is a season of inner reflection.

On Tuesday, the pilgrims visited Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine at a wedding reception and saw one of the original six jars used, old Jericho and used the cable car to the Mount of Temptation where Satan tempted and the Dead Sea.