WEST BANK-CHRISTMAS/ARMENIAN PATRIARCH Armenian Patriarch arrives in Bethlehem to lead Christmas celebrations

Record ID: 565751

  • Title: WEST BANK-CHRISTMAS/ARMENIAN PATRIARCH Armenian Patriarch arrives in Bethlehem to lead Christmas celebrations
  • Date: 18th January 2015
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF MARCHING BANDS
  • Embargoed: 2nd February 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: West bank
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEDHABIFK4UUBSUNR7TOEW421X
  • Story Text: The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Torkom Manoogian arrived in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Sunday (January 18) ahead of the community's Christmas celebrations beginning at midnight and proceeding into January 19th.
    Worshippers and a marching band waited for the Patriarch's arrival in Mangar square, just in front of the Church of Nativity which is believed to be the birth place of Jesus.
    "Jesus for us is the symbol for peace and love so it is important to come here and celebrate Christmas," said Nalbandian Noemie, an Armenian Christian from Jerusalem.
    Armenians world-wide celebrate Christmas on January 6th, but in Jerusalem and in the West Bank a more ancient calendar is being followed.
    Christmas in Bethlehem is celebrated three times each year.
    Many Christians mark the date on December 25, based on the Gregorian calendar, while several Orthodox Christians commemorate the event to recognise the birth of Jesus on January 7.
    Some Armenian churches celebrate on January 19, making them the last of the Eastern Churches to mark the event.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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