WEST BANK: Armenian Orthodox celebrate Christmas while Jordanian and Palestinian Christians take a dip in the River Jordan.

Record ID: 560556

  • Title: WEST BANK: Armenian Orthodox celebrate Christmas while Jordanian and Palestinian Christians take a dip in the River Jordan.
  • Date: 22nd January 2007
  • Summary: PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE ABBAS GREETING ORTHODOX CLERGY AND ENTERING CHURCH VARIOUS OF SECURITY OFFICERS OUTSIDE OF CHURCH ABBAS DEPARTING FROM CHURCH (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS SAYING (AUDIO AS INCOMING): "Saturday we are going to Damascus, God willing." ABBAS GETTING INTO VEHICLE
  • Embargoed: 6th February 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAABWIEXYDHHSL4KA0TIV3SOWQB
  • Story Text: The Armenian Orthodox church celebrates Christmas Eve at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Elsewhere on the West Bank, Christians gathered on both sides of the Jordan River to hold ceremonies and swim in the traditional baptismal site. The Armenian Orthodox Church celebrated Christmas Eve in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity on Thursday (January 18).
    In the evening Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited the church and greeted Armenian Orthodox clergy.
    Upon leaving the church, Abbas confirmed that he would travel to Syria on Saturday.
    "Saturday we are going to Damascus, God willing," Abbas said. It was reported Thursday that Abbas planned with meet with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal during his trip to Syria.
    Earlier Thursday, the Armenian Patriarch arrived this morning in the West Bank biblical town of Bethlehem in preparation for Christmas mass due to take place at midnight.
    The Patriarch did not march with the rest of the clergy men as he traditionally does however his deputy took his place and walked alongside Bethlehem's Mayor.
    In the evening, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is arrived in the West Bank town to take part in Christmas celebrations, a tradition started by the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
    Also Thursday, at the baptismal site of the river Jordan, Palestinian and Jordanian christians along with pilgrims from around the world met on both sides of the river Jordan where they held a joint prayer and took a dip in the river.
    The river Jordan is the place were John the Baptist Baptised Jesus, according to tradition.
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