First Christmas tree in wartime lit in Gaza
Orthodox Christians of the city lit the lights on the tree near the ancient Church of Saint Porphyrius.
For the first time since the start of the crisis and the Israel-Hamas war, the Church of Saint Porphyrios in Gaza , one of the oldest Christian churches, lit the first Christmas tree. This was reported by the Orthodoxia News Agency.
As noted, the solemn ceremony took place in the courtyard of one of the oldest Christian shrines in the region, on Christmas Eve.
"Despite the pain and destruction surrounding the city, the Christmas tree brought light into the darkness of war. Gaza is also preparing to celebrate – according to the Julian calendar followed by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem – the birth of the God-Man," the publication writes.
Dozens of faithful Christians, as well as Muslims who have been under the protection of the church walls since the beginning of the hostilities, participated in the ceremony.
The abbot of the church, Archimandrite Silas, conveyed the blessing of Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias, who wished that the upcoming Christmas would bring peace and tranquility.
According to the archimandrite, the lit tree became a "bright prayer for peace" for all the people of Gaza. He emphasized that despite the pain and destruction, the city's residents maintain hope for the end of the war in 2026 and a return to a peaceful life.
As reported by the UOJ, the Patriarch of Jerusalem called on Churches to support the Christians of the Holy Land. Earlier, in July 2024, Patriarch Theophilos III, together with the Latin Patriarch, visited besieged Gaza, where they met with the affected and prayed for an end to the bloodshed.
