Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos officiates Christmas service in Bethlehem

Christmas service at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Photo: jerusalem-patriarchate

In Bethlehem, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem led the festive Nativity service, according to the official website of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

The celebrations started in the morning of January 6, 2025. Patriarch Theophilos welcomed the Orthodox Scouts Corps and representatives of the Israeli police at the Patriarchate, in the presence of Mrs Anna Mantiki, a representative of the Greek Consulate General. Following this, His Beatitude, accompanied by the Fathers of the Holy Sepulcher, proceeded to David’s Gate, where they boarded vehicles and traveled to the Monastery of the Prophet Elijah, located between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

At the monastery, His Beatitude was greeted by representatives of the Bethlehem community, the Shepherds' Village, Beit Jala, and Israel’s Ministry of the Interior. From there, the Jerusalem Patriarch, escorted by riders from the Israeli military command, traveled to the Rachel’s Tomb border checkpoint. He was then received by representatives of the Palestinian Authority, who transported him in their vehicles to Bethlehem's central square.

At this point, His Beatitude was addressed by Patriarchal Vicar of Bethlehem, Metropolitan Benedict of Diocaesarea. The procession began through the courtyard of the Basilica of the Nativity, led by hierarchs and clergy singing "Thy Nativity, O Christ our God."

The procession reached the humble gate of the magnificent Basilica, and here, the entrance was made, where the General Consul of Greece in Jerusalem, Mr Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, awaited His Beatitude, following the protocol. The Patriarchal procession proceeded through the Basilica, a privilege reserved solely for the Orthodox, until the area in front of the iconostasis (Katholikon).

The procession then exited through the northern gate of the Grotto, and in the Catholicon, the reading of the Royal Hours of the Nativity, Vespers, and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great began, with His Beatitude presiding.

As previously reported, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem visited Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) on December 22, inviting him to participate in the Orthodox Church's Christmas celebrations.

It was also reported that in Bethlehem, Muslims attacked the Church of the Nativity with gunfire and stones.

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