- Title: WEST BANK: Church of Nativity hosts Greek Orthodox Christmas mass
- Date: 9th January 2011
- Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (JANUARY 8, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIORS OF CHURCH OF NATIVITY AT DAWN WIDE VIEW INSIDE CHURCH HALL AHEAD OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS MASS CLERGYMAN GREETING WORSHIPPERS WORSHIPPER LIGHTING CANDLES CLERGYMEN USING CEREMONIAL INCENSE CLERGYMAN CHANTING HYMN CLOSEUP OF RELIGIOUS EMBLEM WORN BY CHURCH LEADER CHURCH LEADER CLERGYMEN WALKING PAST WORSHIPPERS, SPREADING INCENSE ANOTHER WORSHIPPER LIGHTING CANDLES
- Embargoed: 24th January 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: West bank, West bank
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA4C6754BYK5V1KGK0NO55Q6YKQ
- Story Text: The Greek Orthodox clergymen in Bethlehem held their Christmas morning mass on Saturday (January 8) at the Church of Nativity, which Christian faith pegs as the birth place of Jesus.
On Thursday (January 6), Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theofilos III arrived in the West Bank town of Bethlehem and led the midnight mass on Christmas Eve which ran several hours into the morning on Christmas Day (January 7).
From there, many worshippers returned home to sleep and celebrate.
This mass, presided over by a local church leader, has become a tradition that follows.
A few dozen worshippers attended the early morning ceremony and lit candles.
The Eastern churches include the ancient Assyrian Church, the Greek Orthodox, Armenian and the Coptic Church.
The Church of the Nativity is shared by the Eastern denominations and the Catholic Church. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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