WEST BANK: Latin Christians attend Feet Washing ceremony in the Church of Nativity

Record ID: 561214

  • Title: WEST BANK: Latin Christians attend Feet Washing ceremony in the Church of Nativity
  • Date: 2nd April 2010
  • Summary: CLERGYMEN WALKING IN PROCESSION INSIDE CHURCH OF NATIVITY VARIOUS OF WOMEN SINGING IN CHOIR CROWD OF WORSHIPPERS DURING PRAYER SAMUEL HABIB, HEAD OF THE LATIN CHURCH IN BETHLEHEM, LEADING MASS VARIOUS OF NUNS IN WORSHIPPER'S CROWD STATUE OF CRUCIFIED JESUS HUNG IN CHURCH WORSHIPPERS SITTING IN CHURCH DURING SERVICE MEMBERS OF LOCAL SCOUTS SITTING IN LINE AHEAD OF FEET WASHING CEREMONY VARIOUS OF HABIB WASHING AND KISSING THE FEET OF MEMBERS OF LOCAL SCOUTS NUNS SITTING IN CHURCH CHURCH AISLE HABIB LEADING PRAYER WORSHIPPERS RISING AS SERVICE OVER
  • Embargoed: 17th April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA653O1LBRP6RMH53A329QL7HLP
  • Story Text: Hundreds of Christian worshippers participated in the Holy Thursday (April 1) ritual of foot-washing ahead of Easter, taking place in the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birth place of Jesus.
    Samuel Habib, head of the Latin Church in the West Bank town of Bethlehem led the annual ceremony, and washed the feet of local scouts representatives.
    According to Christian tradition, Jesus washed the feet of his twelve disciples prior to the Last supper in a sign of humility.
    Christian churches world-wide commemorate this event on Thursday as part of Easter holiday celebrations.
    The washing is usually done by the highest ranking clergyman as they emulate Jesus' act.
    Earlier on Thursday, a similar ritual was held in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, by the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III.
    On Friday (April 2), thousands of pilgrims are expected to walk the Via Dolorosa, Jesus' walk to crucifixion, and participate in Good Friday rituals.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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