Parade through Bethlehem as Orthodox Christians in the West Bank mark Christmas Eve

(6 Jan 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bethlehem, West Bank - 06 January 2025
1. Wide of scouts marching in parade, UPSOUND of whistle
2. Mid of scouts marching, UPSOUND of whistle
3. Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, received by officials, worshippers and pilgrims in Manger Square
4. Wide of clergy
5. Various of arrival of Theophilos III to Manger Square
6. Wide of scouts marching
7. Church of the Nativity bell tower, UPSOUND of bells tolling
8. Wide of church
STORYLINE:
Orthodox Christians marked Christmas Eve on Monday with a service at the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III was received by worshippers and pilgrims in the city's Manger Square.
Orthodox Christians are marking their second Christmas under the shadow of the war in Gaza.
Scouts marched using whistles, no raucous scout marching bands, no giant Christmas tree in Manger Square, no public lights twinkling and very few public decorations or displays.
Israel’s war against Hamas has been raging for nearly 15 months and there still is no end in sight.
The Orthodox Church observes Christmas on 7 January, because it retained the Julian calendar for its liturgical schedule, while other branches of the Christian church follow the Gregorian calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1500.
AP Video shot by Imad Isseid
Production by Jalal Bwaitel
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