Bethlehem mourns and Ukraine celebrates with the West

Almost two years after its invasion from Russia in their country, Ukrainian Orthodox They have been attending religious rituals since last night as they celebrate Christmas on December 25, the same date as the Western world, for the first time in their history, indicating that they are united Moscow.

the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem “The armed conflict in Gaza is overwhelming him,” he said. Pope Francis, While Ukrainians celebrate Christmas for the first time on December 25, coinciding with countries the West, He challenges her Russia.

“the Our heart, tonight, is in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once again rejected by the failed logic of war, with armed conflict that, even today, prevents him from finding his place in the world. a priest Yesterday at Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

The holy site of Christianity, the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, was empty of pilgrims this year, while most Christmas celebrations were canceled due to the Corona virus. war in Gaza strip.

“There are so many people dying for this land, it is very difficult to celebrate something when our people are dying,” he said. Nicole Nizar, An 18-year-old student, in the – deserted – square. Munger.

Before In the Church of the Nativity, no provider has been installed this year: Mary and Joseph are represented by gray statues, among the rubble, behind barbed wire fences.

Not even on the streets of its cities Syria Under government control, the atmosphere this year is festive: large churches are limited to prayer in solidarity with the victims of the conflict in gauze.

Ukrainians are in sync with the West

Almost two years after Russia invaded their country Ukrainian Orthodox They have been attending religious rituals since last night, as they celebrate Christmas on December 25, the same date that the Western world celebrates, for the first time in their history, in reference to Moscow's challenge.

“We pray for the end of the war. We pray for victory,” the president said. Volodymyr Zelensky. “For peace, for justice,” he declared in front of the magnificent monastery, which hosts until the end of 2022 the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has not yet gained independence from Moscow.

This is the first time in its modern history Ukrainian Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas simultaneously with Catholics, as well as Orthodox in Greece, Romania and Bulgaria, on December 25 and not on January 7 as has been the custom until now. The Russian Orthodox Church follows the old Julian calendar for religious holidays.

In July, Mr Volodymyr Zelensky He formalized the move of Christmas celebrations from January 7 to December 25, a decision that comes in the context of Ukraine's moves to distance itself from Russia.

Santa's trip

in turkey, At the site of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, which was destroyed when the February 6 earthquake struck the southern part of the country, the authorities preferred to be cautious and hold the Christmas Mass in the afternoon, as the situation in the city remains unchanged. Almost messy.

To help the planet forget, for one day, the painful situation internationally shortly before the end of the year, Santa Claus began his “journey” yesterday, under the supervision of the US Armed Forces, which follows a ten-year tradition of transmitting information. For his movements every year on December 24th.

Launching from its base in the North Pole, its sleigh flew over Asia, Israel, the Gaza Strip, Africa and Antarctica before moving across South America and heading to the United States, distributing 100,000 gifts along the way per second, according to the US. Canadian Military Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

In other positive news: In Sri Lanka's prisons, which are notorious for their overcrowding, 1,004 inmates received a presidential pardon over Christmas.

Source: APE-MPE, Agence France-Presse