WEST BANK: Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas and pray for Israeli PM Sharon's health
Record ID:
566358
WEST BANK: Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas and pray for Israeli PM Sharon's health
- Title: WEST BANK: Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas and pray for Israeli PM Sharon's health
- Date: 7th January 2006
- Summary: (BN01) BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (JANUARY 6, 2006) (REUTERS) SLV BETHLEHEM MANGER SQUARE WITH CHURCH OF NATIVITY IN BACKGROUND HAS DECORATED CHURCH OF NATIVITY SLV PEOPLE AWAITING PRAYER GATHERING AND ARRIVING AT CHURCH
- Embargoed: 22nd January 2006 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA7GFMK9US7OAQT7XMF4JU2O4FY
- Story Text: Scores of Greek Orthodox Christians gathered at the
West Bank biblical town of Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas
on Friday night (January 6).
The city of Bethlehem is the birth place of Jesus
according to tradition and a special midnight mass takes
place twice a year at Bethlehem's Church of Nativity, one
time for the Latin church and another for the eastern
Orthodox Churches.
The mood was lively at the Manger Square of Church of
Nativity as many pilgrims gathered along with local
Palestinian Christians to celebrate.
"What we want as Palestinians on Christmas and not only
on Christmas, Muslims and Christians, is to have just
peace," said Archmandrite Attalah Hanna as he welcomed
worshipers outside of the Church.
Christmas season comes at a time of uncertainty for the
Palestinians affected by armed chaos in Gaza and parts of
the West Bank as well as banns on political activity,
hindering the election campaign process, in Arab east
Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's illness has added to the
uncertainty as many don't know what to expect and feel that
peace making might be receiving a blow.
"Why not pray for Sharon's health? The men of peace
always pray for peace and for the health of those who want
peace world wide," said Fradi Marillo, Venezuela's Ambassador to Israel.
"We will pray for him with all our hearts," a pilgrim
from Romania said when asked about Sharon.
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas and various
Palestinian Ministers along with the governor and Mayor of
Bethlehem all attended the midnight mass, a tradition
started by the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat.
Sharon has been long reviled in the Arab world but
increasingly seen by the West as having opened up new
prospects for peace. He suffered his stroke at his Negev
Desert ranch at a crucial juncture in Israeli politics, as
he was fighting for re-election on a promise to end
conflict with the Palestinians.
Even before Sharon fell ill, hopes for peacemaking were
dwindling over a possible delay to Jan. 25 Palestinian
elections and growing unrest in Gaza and the West Bank. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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