WEST BANK: Christians hold candlelight vigil at Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on the eve of Easter

Record ID: 565067

  • Title: WEST BANK: Christians hold candlelight vigil at Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on the eve of Easter
  • Date: 16th April 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) ELIAS SALAH MICHEL, BETHLEHEM RESIDENT, SAYING: The vigil is a day before Easter. It is a vigil day. We call it in Arabic 'Nur al-Masih', the light of Jesus. These are the branches of olives that were placed from last year and now the priest bless the fire again and we start the celebration for Easter.
  • Embargoed: 1st May 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAB5C8RKCH2B9LMU3T4Z1VCBL22
  • Story Text: Christians in the birth town of Jesus held on the eve of Easter Saturday (April 15) a candle light vigil.
    Pilgrims and local residents of the West Bank town of Bethlehem gathered in the Church of the Nativity to mark the eve before Easter in the traditional ceremony.
    The church was set aglow by hundreds of candles carried by priests and worshippers. The first candle was lit from a flaming charcoal made specially for the service.
    "It is a vigil day. We call it in Arabic 'Nur al-Masih', the light of Jesus. These are the branches of olives that were placed from last year and now the priest bless the fire again and we start the celebration for Easter," said Elias Salah Michel who has been preparing the fire for the yearly vigil conducted in the Church of the Nativity for 18 years.
    The fire was transferred from candle to candle and in minutes the darkened church became lit and the service continued.
    The church of the Nativity is built above a cave which is believed to be the birth place of Jesus.
    Easter ceremonies are practised in eastern Orthodox churches, Anglican churches, Roman Catholic churches, and all major Protestant denominations, but on different dates.
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