BETHLEHEM, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 (WAFA) – The Armenian Orthodox Church in Palestine today marked Christmas with the annual Christmas Eve procession of the patriarch from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
The Orthodox Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, Nourhan Manougian, along with the cleric of St. James Brotherhood set off from the Armenian Convent in the Old City of Jerusalem, making his way to Manger Square and passing through an Israeli military-controlled metal gate in the concrete wall that separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem.
Upon reaching Bethlehem, the primate of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem was welcomed by a host of Palestinian officials, including Bethlehem Mayor, Anton Salman, and notables of the Armenian community before making his solemn entry to the Basilica of the Nativity.
He is expected to lead tonight the midnight mass at the Nativity Church, which will be attended by the clergy and some officials.
Orthodox Armenian Christians in Palestine celebrate Christmas nearly two weeks after the majority of the Greek Orthodox Church and other Eastern Orthodox denominations, who marked the feast on January 7, and more than three weeks after the Roman Catholic Christians, who celebrated it on December 25.
K.F.
