Patriarch of Jerusalem leads the Nativity Service in Bethlehem
The Christmas service at the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem. Photo: a video screenshot of the YouTube channel “Svidok”
Despite the ongoing military actions, the Christmas service was performed in Bethlehem.
On the night of January 7 (December 25 according to the Julian calendar) in 2024, a festive Christmas Liturgy led by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem was held in Bethlehem. The video broadcast of the service was published on the YouTube channel "Svidok".
The Great Vespers and the Liturgy took place at the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem. This year, the Christmas celebration in the Jerusalem Church is overshadowed by the tragic events of the war in Gaza, where thousands of civilians, including Christians, were killed. The Jerusalem Patriarchate allowed the possibility of cancelling the service to protest against the war. Nevertheless, it took place.
As reported, Patriarch Theophilus called on Israel and Palestine for peace at Christmas.
Read also
Zelensky tells Patriarch Bartholomew about power outage problems
The president spoke about humanitarian difficulties in Ukraine related to the energy situation.
Metropolitan Nafanail consecrates iconostasis in temporary church in Lutsk
On the feast day of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, a hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church presided over the parish’s patronal celebration.
Pat Daniel awards Pat Bartholomew with order for overcoming schism in BOC
The award was bestowed for organizing the 1998 Council, which conciliar-ly resolved the crisis caused by the schism in the Bulgarian Church.
Persecuted UOC parish in Chernivtsi celebrates its feast day
A festive divine service in honor of St. Spyridon of Trimythous was held in a parish that remains faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church despite attempts to seize the church.
Bulgarian Church Primate arrives in Istanbul
The first official visit of Patriarch Daniel to the Phanar has begun.
Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery
Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.