BETHLEHEM: LATIN PATRIARCH LEADS PROCESSION TO CHURCH OF NATIVITY: SOLEMN HIGH MASS CELEBRATED AT MIDNIGHT.

Record ID: 647800

  • Title: BETHLEHEM: LATIN PATRIARCH LEADS PROCESSION TO CHURCH OF NATIVITY: SOLEMN HIGH MASS CELEBRATED AT MIDNIGHT.
  • Date: 26th December 1972
  • Summary: 1. SV Tree, ZOOM OUT TO procession (3 shots) 0.22 2. SCU Patriarch Beltritti 0.32 3. GV Crowd PAN TO Church tower 0.38 4. SV Party enters Church of Nativity 0.42 5. SV Israeli flag flying 0.45 6. GV INT. St Catherine Church alter ZOOM TO Patriarch preaching 1.05 7. SCU congregation (2 shots) 1.10 8. TV Patriarch conducts service 1.20 9. SV & TV Congregation (3 shots) 1.26 10. STV Service in progress 1.33 Initials SGM/0045 SGM/0030 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 10th January 1973 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Bethlehem
  • City:
  • Country: Israel
  • Reuters ID: LVAA4I98AVIRD4VXNS5LW4Q3UNBR
  • Story Text: Christmas celebrations for Roman Catholics in Jerusalem neared their climax on Monday (25 December) with the traditional solemn procession to Bethlehem, led by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Monsignor Guiseppi Giacomo Beltritti.

    Church bells pealed out over the countryside as the highest Roman Catholic prelate in the Holy Land made his ceremonial entry into Bethlehem's Manager Square from Jerusalem.

    The procession traces the path said to have been taken by the Three Wise Men in following the star which signified the birth of Jesus. It covers six miles (10 kms).

    Thousands of pilgrims, with the Arab Mayor, Mr. Elias Freij, welcomed the Patriarch at the Church of Nativity, which stands over the underground grotto traditionally known as the birthplace of Christ.

    The Patriarch had to stoop low to enter the church's small doorway, originally designed to keep out armed horsemen.

    Climax of the celebrations came at midnight when the Patriarch celebrate solemn High Mass in the Church of Saint Catherine, before a packed congregation of pilgrims from all over the world.

    Many people had to stand outside the church watching the service on closed-circuit television.

    The Roman Catholic festivities are only the first of three Christmas celebrations to be held in Bethlehem. The Greek Orthodox Church begins its celebrations on January 6 and the Armenian Church will hold its rites 12 days later.

    SYNOPSIS: Bethlehem...and for Roman Catholics the traditional solemn Christmas procession begins, led by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Monsignor Giuseppi Giacomo Beltritti. The procession traces the path said to have been taken by the Three Wise Men in following the star which shone over Bethlehem to signify the birth of Jesus.

    Monsignor Beltritti, the highest Roman Catholic prelate in the Holy Land, makes his entry into Bethlehem's Manoer Square at the end of the six-mile journey. He is welcomed by thousands of pilgrims as he enters the Church of Nativity through the low doorway built centuries ago to keep out armed horsemen.

    The climax of the celebrations came at midnight, when the Patriarch celebrated Solemn High Mass in the Church of Saint Catherine, before packed congregation of pilgrims from all over the world.

    Many pilgrims had to be turned away from the church door, but they watched the service on closed-circuit television outside in the square. The Roman Catholic Christmas celebrations are only the first of three in Bethlehem. On January the sixth, the Greek Orthodox Church begins its celebrations, followed twelve days later by the Armenian Church.
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