WEST BANK: Custodian of the Holy Land arrives at Jesus' birthplace, to ceremonially launch the beginning of Christmas season

Record ID: 560755

  • Title: WEST BANK: Custodian of the Holy Land arrives at Jesus' birthplace, to ceremonially launch the beginning of Christmas season
  • Date: 29th November 2009
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF FATHER PIZZABALLA WALKING TOWARDS CHURCH OF NATIVITY, WELCOMED BY LARGE CROWD FATHER PIZZABALLA DUCKING TO ENTER THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY
  • Embargoed: 14th December 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAAI8EIB0GJMLZR877EAYQLY92R
  • Story Text: Hundreds of Christians welcome the Custodian of the Holy Land as he arrives at the birthplace of Jesus in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, to ceremonially launch the beginning of the Christmas season.
    Dozens of Christian worshippers and scouts on Saturday (November 28) welcomed the Custodian of the Holy Land, Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and other senior priests on their arrival at Jesus' birth town of Bethlehem in the West Bank to launch the beginning of "Advent", the Christmas preparations season.
    Colourful flags decorated Manger Square outside the Church of Nativity and a marching band played as high ranking religious clerics arrived in the town.
    The word "Advent" means "coming" or "arrival". The Custodian's arrival to the Biblical town of Bethlehem marks the beginning of a festive season during which millions of Christians around the world make their preparations for Christmas.
    The "Customs" or Custodian of the Holy Land is the Pope's envoy to the Middle East. He is the major superior of the friars in the Palestinian territories, as well as in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus and Rhodes.
    Pilgrims who travel from Jerusalem to Bethlehem in the occupied West bank have to pass through Israel's separation barrier and go through an iron gateway in an eight metre (26 foot) high concrete structure.
    Bethlehem is cut off by the barrier from neighbouring Jerusalem. Israel has erected its internationally condemned barrier inside the West Bank saying that it aims to stop Palestinian suicide bombers.
    Palestinians say that the barrier's construction amounts to a land grab that denies them a viable state.
    The World Court has branded the barrier illegal because it loops into occupied land.
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