Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah walking behind Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos during Midnight Mass at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. (WAFA Images)

BETHLEHEM, Monday, January 07, 2019 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah attended on Sunday on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas the Orthodox Midnight Mass at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos led the mass during which he expressed in his homily peace in the Holy Land and the world at large. He also wished progress and growth for Bethlehem.

The mass was attended by Jordan’s Interior Minister Samir Mubeidin, representing King Abdullah of Jordan, as well as a number of Palestinian officials.

Theophilos’ convey arrived earlier in Bethlehem in the annual Christmas procession from Jerusalem to nearby Bethlehem, the two holy cities Israel had separated by an 8-meter high concrete wall and military checkpoints at all entrances to the southern West Bank city where Jesus Christ was born.

M.K.