Archbishop of Canterbury’s Symbolic Olive Tree Planting

On 23 June 2026 the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, travelled to the West Bank to attend a special ceremony at the Tent of Nations farm, a Palestinian Christian agricultural project south of Bethlehem. The farm, owned for more than a century by the Nasser family, has faced increasing encroachment from nearby settlements and occasional attacks, creating a pressing need for international support.

Faith, Heritage, and the Olive Tree

During her visit, Archbishop Mullally planted an olive tree beside the Nasser family’s fields, watered it, and offered a prayer for the family and the land. In a joint moment of worship, she entered the farm’s ancient cave chapel, where she and the family prayed together. Mullally praised the Nasser family for their “creative, hopeful, Christian resistance to injustice,” noting that olive trees have long symbolised the deep roots of Palestinian Christians in their homeland.

The Archbishops’ pilgrimage also included a stop at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and a sermon at St Peter’s Anglican Church in the West Bank, where she called attention to the restrictions and hardships faced by local Christians. The visit formed part of a five‑day tour that brought together worship, dialogue, and solidarity with communities striving to maintain their religious and cultural heritage amid conflict.

Message of Hope and Peace

By planting the olive tree, the Archbishop underscored a prayer for lasting peace: “As this tree grows, I pray that peace grows too in Palestine and Israel.” She appealed to Christians worldwide to support Palestinian Christians, encouraging prayers for freedom, justice, and the preservation of agricultural stewardship in the occupied territories. The symbolic act aims to strengthen the resolve of a community whose numbers are dwindling, while offering a tangible sign of international Christian solidarity.