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

Officials conduct “inspection” at UOC’s Myltsi monastery

Officials inspected all buildings of the St. Nicholas Monastery in Volyn and carried out what they described as “architectural measurements.”

Primate of UOC reads Penitential Canon at Feofania

Metropolitan Onuphry led Great Compline with the final section of St. Andrew of Crete’s Great Penitential Canon at the St. Panteleimon Women’s Monastery.

UOC lawyer explains why Kyiv Regional Council’s decision is unlawful

Archpriest Mykyta Chekman, a lawyer representing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has outlined the legal grounds on which he believes the Kyiv Regional Council’s resolution concerning the UOC violates Ukraine’s Constitution.

Kyiv Council urges authorities to foster transfer of UOC parishes to OCU

The Kyiv Regional Council has effectively instructed local authorities to administratively assist the transfer of UOC parishes in the Kyiv region to the OCU.

Zaluzhnyi prays at London UGCC cathedral on anniversary of war’s outbreak

Zaluzhnyi and Britain's Defense Minister came to a Uniate cathedral.

Paris police break up peaceful protest against euthanasia

Outside the National Assembly in Paris, police cracked down on opponents of euthanasia legalization and took several activists into custody.