Holy Land Experience closes its gates to reduce spread of COVID-19
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Holy Land officials announced Saturday that the religious experience would temporarily close to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. The parkโs doors will close at the end of the day Saturday and stay closed through the remainder of the month. โDuring the closure, The Holy Land Experience team members will receive their full pay,โ Mike Everett said. The religious experience at Vineland and Conroy Roads near The Mall at Millenia draws hundreds of people every year for the parkโs annual free admission day, allowing the organization to keep its tax-exempt status.
Holy Land Experience laying off most employees under corporate reorganization
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Orlandoโs biblical theme park, the Holy Land Experience, will lay off most of its employees as it undergoes a corporate restructuring, according to a letter sent to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. According to the letter, Holy Land Experience staff affiliated with stage shows and/or support would be laid off as part of a corporate-wide ministry reorganization. โ(Holy Land Experience) will be permanently shutting down most department(s) and/or eliminating most positions,โ the letter said. Some employees, based on their tenure with Holy Land, will be eligible for a severance package plan. Holy Land will continue to operate its educational attractions, including a biblical museum.
Relic thought to be from Jesusโ manger arrives in Bethlehem
Christian clergymen carry a wooden relic believed to be from Jesus' manger at the Notre Dame church in Jerusalem, Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Christians are celebrating the return to the Holy Land of a tiny wooden relic believed to be from Jesus' manger nearly 1,400 years after it was sent to Rome as a gift to the pope. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)BETHLEHEM โ A tiny wooden relic that some Christians believe to be part of Jesus' manger arrived Saturday in its permanent home in the biblical city of Bethlehem 1,400 years after it was sent to Rome as a gift to the pope. The return of the relic by the Vatican was a spirit-lifting moment for the Palestinians, a small minority of whom are Christian. Troubled Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank is preparing for the occasion, where pilgrims from around the world flock to the city.