BETHLEHEM – On December 1, 2018, Palestinians and internationals converged from all parts of the Holy Land to attend the Christmas tree lighting in the Manger Square, just 40 meters from the place where Jesus was born.
The ceremony, which was organized by the Bethlehem municipality, saw the coming together of different religious dignitaries that included Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Delegate of Jerusalem and Palestine; Bishop Boulos Marcuzzo, Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem and Palestine; Fr. Francesco Patton; Custos of the Holy Land; and other representatives from the Churches of the Holy Land. The event was also attended by Dr. Rami Hamdallah, Prime Minister of Palestine; Mrs. Rula Maa’yaa, Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and many others.
Before the lighting of the tree, Bishop Marcuzzo and Fr. Francesco Patton took the stage and offered several blessings of peace and harmony for everyone celebrating the nativity of the Savior.
Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
