Sabbaticals in Jerusalem

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Study, Reflection and Renewal

St George’s College offers clergy, academics, teachers, writers and independent scholars the opportunity to spend part or all of a sabbatical in Jerusalem.

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A quiet and
welcoming base

Located within the peaceful Cathedral Close and close to the Old City, the College provides a quiet and welcoming base for research, writing, personal reflection and exploration. Guests are free to shape their own schedules while benefiting from the history, culture and religious life of Jerusalem and the wider Holy Land.

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Sabbaticals at St George’s College

Sabbaticals at St George’s College are independently arranged rather than built around a formal programme. This gives each guest the flexibility to pursue their own work, visit relevant sites, meet local contacts and participate in the life of the College as appropriate.

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Is a Sabbatical at St George’s College Right for You?

A stay at the College may be especially valuable for:

  • Clergy seeking time for reflection, renewal or writing
  • Academics undertaking theological, biblical or historical research
  • Teachers preparing new material or pursuing an independent project
  • Authors and researchers whose work would benefit from time in Jerusalem
  • Scholars exploring Anglican life, Palestinian history or the Abrahamic faiths

A Place to Work, Think and Encounter

A sabbatical at St George’s College combines the quiet needed for focused work with the opportunity to experience Jerusalem as a living centre of faith, history and contemporary life.

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The Edmond and Patricia Browning Library

Located on the main floor of the College, the Edmond and Patricia Browning Library provides a comfortable setting for reading and research. Its collection is particularly strong in:

  • Anglican studies, especially Anglicanism in the Middle East
  • Biblical studies
  • Palestinian history
  • Theology
  • Local history and culture

A light-filled reading room overlooks the College gardens, providing a peaceful place to work. The collection can also be searched through the library’s online catalogue.

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The Altar of the Crucifixion at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Rock of Calvary is seen encased in glass.


Photograph by Dennis Brack
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Explore the Benshoof Cistern Museum

The College grounds are also home to the Benshoof Cistern Museum, housed within an ancient water cistern believed to date from the late Roman or early Byzantine period.

The museum contains pottery and other ceramic artefacts excavated at Tel Dothan between 1953 and 1964. Its collection includes lamps, bowls, goblets and vessels from tombs dating to the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages. It is both a valuable scholarly resource and a fascinating connection to the archaeology of the region.

A Welcoming

Place to Stay

Previous sabbatical guests have valued the College’s comfortable rooms, quiet library, beautiful grounds and proximity to Damascus Gate. They have also appreciated the opportunity to meet pilgrims, researchers, staff and others working in Jerusalem.

Accommodation is limited, and rooms do not include facilities for home cooking. Availability, length of stay and fees are arranged individually, so early enquiries are encouraged.

Questions Before You Book?

Minimum and maximum length of stay

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Current accommodation and meal arrangements

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Whether sabbatical guests may join worship, talks or pilgrimage activities

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Whether library borrowing privileges are available

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The correct enquiry contact and application process

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Whether individual scholars may request access to the museum collection for research

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In the Words of Our Pilgrims

“This was so much more than visiting the places I had read about. Scripture, worship and community came together in a way I will carry with me.”

“You do not visit the Holy Land. You let it enter you.”

Ruth Asante

Accra, Ghana

“The scripture did not change. But I did. Every page reads differently now.”

Michael O’Brien

Dublin, Ireland

“I came to walk ancient stones. I left with a faith made new.”

Sarah Chen

Toronto, Canada