A powerful portrait exhibition invites prayer and solidarity with Christians of the Holy Land
Northampton Cathedral is currently hosting the moving and deeply human “50 Faces of the Holy Land” exhibition, open from 13–26 October 2025. The exhibition, which was previously displayed in the Houses of Parliament, offers visitors a rare and personal glimpse into the lives, faith, and resilience of Christians living in the Holy Land, encompassing Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and Jordan.
Each of the fifty portraits captures a unique story: lives marked by struggle, endurance, and hope amid conflict and uncertainty. Together, they reveal the shared humanity of a community striving to remain rooted in the land where Christ walked, even in the face of immense hardship.
The exhibition is presented by Friends of the Holy Land, a UK-based ecumenical charity founded in 2009 to support the most vulnerable members of the Christian community across the region. The charity provides direct assistance in key areas such as education, employment, family support, health, and housing, ensuring that help reaches those most in need, one life at a time.
As daily headlines remind us of the suffering endured by so many in the region, 50 Faces of the Holy Land invites visitors to look beyond the news and encounter the real people who live this reality, people of deep faith, courage, and hope.
To mark the exhibition’s time in Northampton, a special ecumenical Evensong service will take place at 3pm on Thursday 16 October. This reflective service will bring together the Cathedral community and the wider people of Northampton in prayer for peace in the Holy Land. All are most welcome to attend.
Following the service, there will be a simple reception offering the opportunity to meet Brendan Metcalfe, CEO of Friends of the Holy Land, who will share insights from his visits to the region and updates on the charity’s life-changing projects.
Speaking about the exhibition, Mr Metcalfe said:
“These faces represent the Christian community of the Holy Land — our brothers and sisters who, despite the hardships they face, continue to live out their faith with extraordinary courage and hope. Each face has a story to tell, and through this exhibition we hope to inspire both awareness and prayerful action.”
Visitors to 50 Faces of the Holy Land are invited to pause, reflect, and pray — for peace, for understanding, and for the flourishing of the Christian presence in the land of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection.
Exhibition details:
🕰️ 13–26 October 2025
📍 Northampton Cathedral
🙏 Ecumenical Evensong Service: Thursday 16 October, 3pm
🎤 Reception and address by Brendan Metcalfe, CEO of Friends of the Holy Land, following the service
