WEST BANK: Greek Orthodox hold eastern Christmas mass at Nativity Church

Record ID: 561250

  • Title: WEST BANK: Greek Orthodox hold eastern Christmas mass at Nativity Church
  • Date: 9th January 2010
  • Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (JANUARY 8, 2009) (REUTERS) NATIVITY CHURCH, WHERE CHRISTIANS BELIEVE JESUS WAS BORN (AUDIO: BELLS RINGING) WOMAN ENTERING CHURCH AHEAD OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS MASS VARIOUS OF CLERGYMEN WALKING IN CHURCH, HOLDING INCENSE BURNER WORSHIPPERS LIGHTING CANDLES CLERGYMEN HOLDING CEREMONY VARIOUS OF CLERGYMAN CHANTING VARIOUS OF HEAD OF LOCAL CHURCH, BISHOP FEWFOLAKTOS, LEADING MASS WORSHIPPERS CHANTING CHANDELIER MASS AT CHURCH OF NATIVITY
  • Embargoed: 24th January 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA7JC4F6NHCMYL996IE82NIP229
  • Story Text: The Greek Orthodox clergymen in Bethlehem held their Christmas Mass on Friday (January 8) at the Church of Nativity, which Christian faith pegs as the birth place of the baby Jesus.
    The Greek Orthodox Christmas Mass is held on the second day of Christmas and has become a tradition for the Orthodox Church, since their mass on Christmas Eve tends to finish early morning on Christmas Day.
    A few dozen local worshippers attended the early morning candle lit mass which was led by the head of the local Church, Bishop Fewfolaktos.
    On Wednesday (January 6), Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theofilos III arrived in the West Bank town of Bethlehem and led the midnight mass.
    Though Israel's army eased restrictions to allow visitors into the town, the barrier remained an obstacle for many.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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