80% of the economy of Bethlehem is based on tourism due to the influx of pilgrims from the Christian community
Christmas in the cradle of Christ... the Palestinians "breathe" again
Christian pilgrims flocked to the Church of the Nativity and stayed inside hotels and tourist facilities.
Emirates today
The Church of the Nativity embraces the atmosphere of Christmas.
Emirates today
Patron of the Latin Monastery in the Church of the Nativity, Rami Asakreya.
Emirates today
picture
Last year, the Palestinians were prevented from celebrating the birth of our Lord Christ, peace be upon him, as the atmosphere of Christmas was organized by default on a small scale, different from previous years, as a result of the exceptional measures to combat the Corona virus, which blocked the influx of pilgrims and tourists to the Church of the Nativity in the city of Bethlehem. The Church of the Resurrection in the city of Jerusalem, and the Church of the Annunciation in the city of Nazareth.
As for this year, the Palestinians of the Christian faith found themselves reviving the atmosphere of the glorious Christmas, as they lit the Christmas tree in the square of the Church of the Nativity in the city of Bethlehem in the West Bank. Inside the historic churches.
This same atmosphere was witnessed in the rest of the Palestinian cities and towns, where Christmas trees were lit in public squares and in front of churches, most notably the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the city of Ramallah, the towns of Beit Sahour and Beit Jala in the West Bank, and the city of Nazareth in the occupied Palestinian interior.
Hope is back
This atmosphere, being an outlet for the Christian community in the Palestinian territories after a forced deprivation last year, the Christmas celebrations contribute to supporting the economy of the city of Bethlehem, which depends by (80%) on tourism, as pilgrims flock to the Church of the Nativity, and stay inside hotels and tourist facilities On Christmas Days, shops, gift shops, restaurants and hotels are revived due to the high demand for it by members of the Christian community and delegations of pilgrims.
The pastor of the Latin Monastery in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Father Rami Asakreya, told Emirates Today, in an exclusive interview: "The Glorious Christmas is an important event in the Palestinian territories, and the days pass every year towards this event, as pilgrims flock to The city of Bethlehem to participate in the atmosphere and celebrations of Christmas.
He added that "Bethlehem is sad due to the deteriorating economic conditions, and the people's disappointment in the political situation, as a result of the restrictions (Corona) during the past months, and the arbitrary practices of the occupation, but this year, after depriving a whole year, the Palestinians find an outlet in reviving the atmosphere of the glorious Christmas, Where they need a spiritual refreshment that renews their hopes and wishes in the new year.”
And the pastor of the Latin Monastery in the Church of the Nativity points out that last year, the atmosphere of the celebration of Christmas was very sad, in all the Palestinian territories, and did not witness the participation of pilgrims as in previous years, due to the restrictions of the “Corona” pandemic.
Father Asakarieh continues: “This year, hope has returned to us again, to revive the atmosphere of Christmas, and to hold a midnight mass, as the city of Bethlehem and the Palestinian cities witnessed the influx of pilgrims to book in hotels, while taking great caution in light of the talk about the outbreak of the new mutant (Omicron). )».
He confirms that this year Palestinian cities are witnessing freedom of worship and prayer inside churches, unlike last year, in addition to participating in all the festive atmosphere, while following prevention and health safety measures, noting that the glorious Christmas celebrations this year will be as usual every year, without limitations, as last year.
Celebration scenes
The pastor of the Latin Monastery in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem says: “The city of Bethlehem and the Palestinian cities will witness this year the official entry of the procession of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, on the 24th of this December (today), with official and popular participation, where the celebration will begin with the entry of the official procession. For the Patriarch of the Latin Catholic Church, where he is received by the monks of the city of Bethlehem and the town of Beit Sahour at the (Rachel’s Dome) located between the city of the cradle of Christ and the holy city of Jerusalem, while the monks of the town of Beit Jala will receive him in the monastery (Mar Elias) north of Bethlehem.
Father Asakariah continues: “When the patriarch’s procession reaches the street leading to the Church of the Nativity, called (Ras Fetais), scout groups from all over Palestine begin to perform their shows, until the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem reaches the court of the Church of the Nativity, where he is received by the governor of Bethlehem and its mayor, and the heads of The security services, and then the monks receive him in a circle in two rows until he reaches inside the Church of (St. Catherine) inside the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity, where prayers are held there.”
He added: "On the evening of December 24 (today), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas receives the patriarch's procession, and then organizes the protocol for celebrating birthdays, and at night hours the midnight mass begins in the Cave of the Church of the Nativity, where the birth of Christ, peace be upon him, is attended by the church's patriarch. Latin Catholic.
popular celebrations
On the other hand, the mayor of Ramallah, Musa Hadid, told “Emirates Today”: “The glorious Christmas celebrations in the city of Ramallah were limited last year to a small number, in order to preserve the religious atmosphere that we celebrate annually, despite the restrictions of the (Corona) pandemic. ), but this year, as usual, the city will organize popular celebrations on the glorious Christmas holidays, of a religious and national character.”
Hadid confirms that the Ramallah municipality has taken the necessary measures and measures, which are commensurate with health protocols, in order to preserve the safety of the participants, in the context of caution against the new mutated virus "Omicron".
He says: “The Lord Christ, peace be upon him, was born in the city of Bethlehem, which has not seen peace for decades, but this year we insisted on celebrating, to send a message to the whole world that Palestine, which is under occupation, has a lot to offer to its people, so that they can feel joy and live their rituals. And that he has the right to live like the rest of the world’s population, to remove injustice from him, obtain his rights, and enjoy freedom.”
• Palestinian cities this year are witnessing freedom of worship and prayer inside churches, unlike last year, in addition to participating in all the festive atmosphere, while following health and safety prevention measures.
• The city of Bethlehem is sad due to the deteriorating economic conditions as a result of the restrictions of “Corona” during the past months, and the people’s disappointment in the political situation, due to the arbitrary practices of the occupation, but this year the Palestinians find an outlet in reviving the atmosphere of the glorious Christmas, where they need a spiritual refreshment that renews their hopes And their wishes for the new year.
Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news