Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Armenian Christmas Celebrations in Bethlehem

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Armenian Christmas Celebrations in Bethlehem

    Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
    Tel: 626-4866
    Fax: 626-4862

    February 2, 2010
    ________________


    President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Salam Fayad and five members of the
    Palestinian cabinet attend Armenian Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem


    Despite the inclement weather, Armenians of Jerusalem marked Christmas
    through a number of ceremonies, starting with the solemn entry into the
    Church of Nativity, on the 18th of January and ending on early morning of
    January 19th, with an Episcopal epiphany Divine Liturgy, celebrated by His
    Grace, Bishop Margos Hovhanisian. The ceremonies were presided over by His
    Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, the Grand Sacristan of the Armenian
    Patriarchate, who was delegated by His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom
    Manoogian.

    On the morning of January 18th, a motorcade of 50 cars left the patriarchate
    accompanied by Israeli military and police escorts and reached the outskirts
    of Mar Elias Monastery, where it was welcomed by the Mayors of Beit Jala and
    Beit Sahoor and their entire town council members. After which four Israeli
    cavalry policemen accompanied Archbishop Manougian's car to the Palestinian
    border, where he was received by the Mayor of Beit Sahoor and the town
    council. Then the motorcade was escorted by Palestinian police motorcyclists
    and cars to the Manger Square, where the Mayor of Bethlehem, Dr. Victor
    Batarseh; the Governor of Bethlehem; Palestinian ministers; and the Police
    Chief welcomed him. Then the procession of bishops, priests and seminarians
    made their official entry into the Basilica of the Nativity Church, preceded
    by Armenian scouts and their musical bands.

    The Christmas Eve ceremonies started at 2:00 p.m. and ended at 6:00 p.m. In
    the evening, the Armenian Patriarchate hosted a special reception, which was
    held in the medieval basement building of the monastery. Once again,
    President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayad were present, along with several
    ministers, who arrived at 7:30 p.m. In his welcoming speech, Archbishop
    Manougian dwelt on the millennial Armenian presence in the Holy Land,
    thanked the Palestinian Authority for the impeccable organization of the
    day's events, and had words of praise for the wise leadership of President
    Abbas. He ended his speech saying, "Our prayers will be directed to the
    prince of Peace and Love, that a just and a lasting peace is established in
    the region."

    The President, in his turn, had warm words for the Armenian people, adding
    that "we consider the Armenians as an indivisible part of this land."
    Talking about his peace strategy, he said that the two people have no choice
    but to pursue peace efforts.

    The reception was attended by some 300 people, including dignitaries,
    representatives of other churches and a sizable number of pilgrims from
    Armenia, United States and Turkey.

    The evening prayers started at 10:00 p.m. and the Nativity Church
    reverberated with Armenian Christmas hymns. The entire midnight services
    were televised by the Palestinian TV. At 11:30 p.m., His Excellency
    President Abbas arrived surrounded by ministers of the Interior, Security,
    Tourism, Religious Affairs and also of Antiquities. At midnight, Archbishop
    Manougian, accompanied by the Palestinian officials, descended to the
    Grotto, where he delivered his Christmas messages, in Armenian and Arabic.

    It is noted that this year's Christmas events were conducted with special
    care and organization by the Palestinian Authorities who allocated extra
    security personnel for the day, which is a testament to the important
    position that the Armenian Patriarchate holds in the Holy Land.

    ###

    Photo attached: Archbishop Nourhan Manougian and Palestinian president
    Mahmoud Abbas.
Working...
X